Boro Fire Chief Cited for Striking Pedestrian in Crosswalk

Chatham Borough Fire Chief Peter Glogolich was issued a summons for striking a pedestrian with his borough-owned vehicle.

Police department executive administrative assistant Kevin O'Shea said Glogolich, 51, was cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk after he struck Lillian Garrison, 42, of Chatham on May 4.

Patrolman Brian Colatrella had found that Glogolich was attempting to turn left from Main Street onto Bowers Lane when he struck Garrison, who was walking westbound across Bowers Lane, O'Shea said. Glogolich was driving the chief's vehicle but was not responding to a call at that time, O'Shea said.

Garrison was treated for a minor head injury at Morristown Medical Center following the collision.

Colatrella was able to interview Garrison on May 10 to complete his investigation, O'Shea said, which resulted in the summons.

O'Shea said the near-week interval between the collision and the interview was due to several factors. 

"Investigations involving injuries and/or emergency response vehicles routinely take a longer period of time to complete due to the technical elements of the investigation. Some of these factors include the nature and extent of injuries, the ability to speak to both parties who may or may not be transported for medical care and the levels of review required when emergency response vehicles and personnel are involved," he said.

"Some accidents involving government employees or vehicles require the review of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. This investigation was conducted in accordance with agency policy and procedure and ultimately resulted in a summons being issued for a violation of the NJ motor vehicle statutes," O'Shea said.