July 05, 2015
An investigation is underway after a New Jersey police officer accidentally struck and killed a pedestrian while driving his police cruiser.
According to NBC 10, the police officer from Lacey Township was responding to a call in the area of Lacey Road and Deerhead Lake Road around 3:25 a.m. on Sunday when he collided with 25-year-old Neil Vandeputt of Toms River.
Investigators said that Vandeputt was crossing the road against the traffic signal at the intersection when the accident occurred. According to police, the officer attempted to avoid the victim but him with the front passenger side of his vehicle.
Following the impact, the police cruiser struck a utility pole before coming to a stop in a nearby parking lot. Vandeputt was pronounced dead at the scene, while the officer, who has not been identified, was taken to Community Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
