Two New Jersey police officers were killed while performing their duty within the same week this month. The second officer to be killed was the victim of a fatal car accident.
The officer was reportedly in a parked car on the side of a highway using equipment to monitor the road for speeding vehicles. At some point, a tractor-trailer hit the back of the officer’s car. The accident killed the police officer.
The tractor-trailer was carrying a half load of product, say reports. For some reason, which is not known at this time, the truck veered onto the shoulder. Police say the tractor-trailer did not attempt to stop before hitting the parked police vehicle.
The police officer’s car was pushed into a retaining wall. The accident occurred around 1:30 a.m. The truck driver has been charged with vehicular homicide. His bail was set at $25,000.
One resident who lives near the crash site said he often saw unmarked police cars checking for speeders. He said he heard a loud crash, like thunder, on the night of the incident. The truck reportedly came to a stop between the shoulder of the road and a backyard. The cab of the truck had smashed a residential fence, and both rock and fencing were littered around the scene.
When an accident occurs, families and communities can be shocked and devastated by the loss. Though monetary compensation for losses can never bring back a loved one, a personal injury claim can let victims seek compensation to help cover burial costs and lost wages, thus helping to make the future easier.
Source: ABC News, “New Jersey Police Officer Dies in Rear-End Crash” David Porter, Jul. 17, 2014