Police Officer Injured in Crash with Suspected Impaired Driver

A Wayne Police Officer was injured Sunday when he was hit by a suspected impaired driver while in a police vehicle, authorities said.

Wayne Police Officer Jason Philippi was in a marked Wayne Police car on Route 23 South in Pequannock Township near the Wayne border at 2:52 a.m. when he stopped in the center lane for a red light and was struck from behind by a 2014 silver Nissan, Wayne Captain Laurence Martin said.

Officer Jason Philippi sustained back injury and was transported to Chilton Hospital by the Pequannock First Aid squad while the Nissan driver, Lauren Jutchenko, 30, of Bergenfield was charged with fourth degree assault, careless driving, suspected driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics and refusing to submit to a breath test.

Officer Philippi was treated and released from Chilton Hospital.