SADDLE BROOK, NJ — New Jersey State Police are asking for the public’s help identifying a driver who they say hit and seriously injured a Saddle Brook Township police officer during an early Sunday morning traffic stop on Interstate 80.
The crash happened while the officer was stopped behind a gray Nissan Maxima. Investigators say the unknown vehicle struck both the Nissan and the officer before speeding away from the scene.
State police have not released a description of the fleeing vehicle. They are urging anyone with information about what happened on I-80 to contact investigators.
Traffic stop on I-80 ended in violent collision
According to investigators, the officer was conducting a traffic stop around 4:34 a.m. when the collision happened. The Nissan was traveling eastbound on I-80 in Saddle Brook when it was stopped, and the officer was outside the vehicle at the time.
An unidentified eastbound vehicle then hit the left side of the Nissan and struck the officer. The impact caused serious injuries, turning a routine stop into an emergency response scene in the predawn darkness.
Police have not said whether the stopped Nissan was pulled over for a traffic violation or whether any additional units were immediately sent to the location.
Officer taken away with serious injuries
Officials said the officer suffered serious injuries in the crash. No further details about the officer’s condition have been released.
The three people inside the gray Nissan Maxima were not injured, according to state police. Investigators did not identify the occupants or say whether they remained at the scene after the crash.
The agency has not publicly described the extent of the damage to either vehicle, though the collision involved the left side of the Nissan and the officer who was working the stop.
Unknown vehicle fled the scene after impact
State police say the vehicle that hit the officer kept going after the crash. The driver did not remain at the scene, and no arrest has been announced.
Because the striking vehicle was traveling eastbound, investigators are likely focusing on possible witnesses and any nearby drivers who may have seen the collision or the vehicle leaving the area.
At this stage, police have not said whether surveillance video, highway cameras or other evidence has been recovered to help identify the driver.
State police ask witnesses to come forward
New Jersey State Police are urging anyone who saw the crash or has information about the fleeing driver to contact investigators. Public tips can help narrow down the vehicle involved and identify the person behind the wheel.
Hit-and-run investigations often depend on small details, including vehicle damage, direction of travel and time of day. In this case, the early-morning timing and Interstate 80 location may help authorities piece together the sequence of events.
Police have not announced a timeline for when additional information may be released.
Saddle Brook crash adds to dangers faced by officers on roadways
The incident highlights the risks officers face during roadside traffic stops, especially along busy highways where passing vehicles can turn a routine stop into a life-threatening situation. The officer was working in the pre-dawn hours when visibility may have been limited.
Investigators are now trying to determine who was driving the eastbound vehicle and why it struck the stopped Nissan and the officer. For now, the key unanswered question is who fled the scene after the collision.
Anyone with information is being asked by New Jersey State Police to get in touch as the investigation continues.
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