By Jeff Goldman
nj.com
ROBBINSVILLE TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Authorities have released dashboard camera video of a Robbinsville police officer being struck and injured by a hit-and-run driver, a day after the patrolman was released from a local hospital.
Connor Boyle, 25, left Capital Health’s trauma center in Trenton on Monday and is expected to make a full recovery, Robbinsville police said in thanking first responders, doctors and nurses for taking care of the officer.
Boyle was aiding the driver of a disabled vehicle on Route 130 south near Voelbel Road at about 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, police said. As Boyle was standing on the side of the road speaking to the driver, a car struck him as well as his patrol car and the disabled vehicle before continuing to travel south.
A 16-second video released by Robbinsville police on Tuesday shows the out-of-control vehicle scrape the left side of Boyle’s patrol car before it struck the Boyle and the partially open driver’s side door of the pulled-over vehicle. The motorist to whom Boyle was speaking was not hit.
Warning: The video below may be disturbing to some viewers.
Police later arrested Rachel Glatt, 52, of East Windsor at her home, officials said. She was charged with second-degree aggravated assault on a police officer and fourth-degree assault by auto in addition to receiving multiple motor vehicle summonses, authorities said.
Police reminded the public of the “move over” law designed to protect police officers and emergency workers.
“Research shows many drivers believe that moving over is simply an optional courtesy when they see law enforcement vehicles, other emergency vehicles, tow trucks and other public assistance vehicles on the side of the road,” Robbinsville police said. “Let’s be clear: It is not optional. It is the law. We need to keep our first responders and vehicle assistance workers safe.”
Boyle, meanwhile, will begin working as a school resource officer at Pond Road Middle School in the township, police said.
“We would like to also thank our community, our elected officials, local business owners, our colleagues in law enforcement, fire and EMS for your outpouring of support, thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement,“ township police said. “They mean the world to Patrolman Boyle and all of the police officers and dispatchers of the Robbinsville police department.”
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