Drunk Driver Hit Police Car Head-On, Injuring Morris County Cop: Officials

BUTLER, NJ — A drunk driver who crashed head-on into a Butler Police vehicle last week faces multiple aggravated assault charges, officials said.

The officer was taken to the hospital for his injuries and a passenger was seriously injured in the collision, police said in a news release.

Patrolman Justin Brunda was watching for speeding drivers along Bartholdi Avenue on Friday when an oncoming Ford Explorer crossed the center lines and smashed head-on into his patrol car, officials said.

The Butler Fire Department and other police officers arrived on scene, as the car had caught fire; an officer on scene saw the driver get out of the SUV, and arrested him.

First responders transported Brunda and the SUV passenger to a local hospital for treatment, and said the passenger had serious injuries. Brunda was treated and then released.

Police charged the SUV driver, Charles Dampman, with the following offenses: Aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault causing a serious injury, assault by auto, aggravated assault causing bodily injury, and endangering another person. He was also cited for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and failure to maintain lane, police noted.

Officers took Dampman to the Morris County Jail.