NJ Officer Seriously Injured By Hit-And-Run Driver
EDISON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- An officer was seriously injured by a hit-and-run driver Thursday morning in Edison, police said.
The incident happened at around 8 a.m. near J.P. Stevens High School on Grove Avenue, CBS2's Dave Carlin reported.
The suspect is an 18-year-old student, identified as Claudia Morgan. CBS2 was told she was distraught and trying to provoke the officer. She allegedly hit him with her vehicle after putting it in reverse.
Officer Andrew Roy, 42, was standing outside his police vehicle when he was hit.
Roy, a 16-year-veteran of the force, suffered hip and leg injuries after getting pinned. He's expected to recover.
That recovery is believed to be going well at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick.
"My first concern is for Officer Roy's health and recovery. Our officer sustained serious injuries while trying to calm a troubled young woman and prevent her from leaving school property," Police Chief Thomas Bryan said. "Officer Roy demonstrated empathy and dedication to duty. He's well-trained. He is an excellent school resource officer."
The New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association took to Twitter in support of the injured officer, writing: "Please keep the Edison officer who was struck by a car this morning in your prayers. The officer showed tremendous valor in his actions and we pray for his recovery."
Police said Morgan drove off in a gray Volvo, but was arrested a short time later at a Stop & Shop on Inman Avenue. She was to undergo psychiatric evaluation at Rutgers University's Behavioral Health Center in Piscataway. She faces aggravated assault, obstruction and eluding arrest charges.
Some of her classmates told Carlin they are surprised.
"Every so often she would say, 'Hi, how are you doing.' She would say 'hi' to me. She's a good person," one student said.
