Driver In Galloway Accident Flees Scene, Crashes Into Tree

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ - Police have charged an Atlantic City man with assault by auto, resisting and numerous other charges after he sped away from a traffic stop, then crashed into a tree.

Three people were injured in the May 29 accident, which occurred at 7:44 a.m. on May 29.

Officer Cody Trout stopped Darius Spence, 23, in his 2017 Kia Rio on Aloe Street near Vienna Avenue for several motor vehicle offenses.

"Spence fled the scene of the motor vehicle stop at a high rate of speed, lost control of his vehicle and subsequently crashed into a tree," according to the police report.

Spence, passenger Joclyn D. Scotland, 39, Mays Landing, and his juvenile daughter all had to be extricated from the vehicle by members of the Pomona Fire Company and Germania Fire Company. All three were taken to Atlanticare Regional Medical Center, City Division, for their injuries.

Spence and his daughter had serious but non-life threatening injuries. Scotland had minor injuries.

Spence was charged with assault by auto, endangering the welfare of a child, obstruction, causing injury while in violation of driving while suspended, resisting arrest and numerous motor vehicle offenses, the report states. He was taken to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

The Galloway Township Police Department, Egg Harbor City Police Department, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Pomona Fire Company, Germania Fire Company, Galloway Township Ambulance Squad and Atlanticare Paramedics all responded.

Patrolman Ronald Gorneau of the police department's Traffic Safety Unit is investigating. Anyone with information about the accident please contact Patrolman Gorneau at 609-652-3705 Ext. 5095

Logo: Courtesy of the Galloway Township Police Department