NJ Officer Accidentally Strikes, Kills Pedestrian In Crash
Lacey Twp., NJ (CBS) -- Officials are investigating an accident where a police officer accidentally struck a pedestrian in a fatal crash.
It happened around 3:25 a.m. Sunday morning at Lacy Road and Deerhead Lake Road.
Lacey Patrol Officer Andrew Slota was traveling east on Lacey Road, responding to a call, when his vehicle struck Neil Vandeputt.
Investigators say Vandeputt was crossing against the traffic signal in a northerly direction from the south side of Lacey Road at the Deerhead Lake Road intersection.
The officer tried to avoid the accident, but Vandeputt was stuck by the front passenger side of the patrol vehicle. Officer Slota's patrol car then struck a utility pole.
Vandeputt was pronounced dead at the scene and Officer Slota was taken to Community Medical Center where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation is still ongoing.