Drunk Driver Punched EMT, Parsippany Police Say

PARSIPPANY, NJ — An alleged drunk driver is accused of assaulting an emergency medical technician by punching them in the back of an ambulance, Parsippany police said.

Vijay Bhise, 72, from North Caldwell, faces several charges, including aggravated assault, following the March 1 incident, police said. Bhise crashed his car in the area of Lake Shore Drive and Rockaway Boulevard around 8 p.m. that night, requiring police and EMT assistance.

Police say Bhise was placed inside an ambulance to be taken to a nearby hospital; he became "combative" inside the ambulance, and punched an EMT in the shoulder. He was arrested, taken to Morristown Medical Center and, once released, taken to Parsippany police headquarters, police said.

Bhise was charged with aggravated assault on emergency service personnel, driving while intoxicated, reckless and careless driving, unsafe lane change, and failure to stop. He was released with an upcoming court date.