Crime & Safety

Disabled Truck Hits Cop Car Before Closing Schooley's Mountain

Police chief taken for x-rays Monday afternoon.

A disabled truck on Schooley's Mountain closed the county roadway Monday afternoon, sending traffic in both directions through detours in the area.

The truck was spread across both lanes of travel in the area of "Big Turn," according to Lt. Doug Compton. The notorious hairpin turn is just north of the municipal building, located at 43 Schooley's Mountain Road. 

The tractor-trailer's driver was unfamiliar with the area, Compton said, and got his vehicle stuck on the turn, with the vehicle coming to rest across both lanes.

When Washington Township Police Chief Michael Bailey arrived on the scene from the south end, he tried going around the truck to block off traffic, Compton said. As he began moving, the truck driver attempted to move the tractor-trailer, which then slid back down the steep road, hitting the patrol car. 

Bailey was taken for x-rays for a leg injury. The patrol car sustained damage but did not need to be towed away, Compton said. 

Motorists heading north were detoured onto Fairview Avenue and then to Naughright Road. Drivers heading south were taken onto Camp Washington Road and out to Naughright Road. 

Compton said road conditions were not an issue. The road was completely reopened shortly after 3 p.m. Monday afternoon. The truck became disabled at 12:20 p.m.

The truck was impounded at the Washington Township Department of Public Works, and an investigation is being conducted by the New Jersey State Police Tuesday into the vehicle's proper registration and inspection. 

Are you being detoured? Did you see the truck get stuck on the road? Send us your photos!


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