According to NorthJersey.com, a Lodi High School teacher was charged last week in connection to a drunk driving accident that left a Bergen County police officer critically injured. 
The news outlet reported that Michael Ettz, 36, a math teacher and coach, has been charged with aggravated assault, driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury, along with other motor vehicle charges. As of last week, he was free after posting bail.
On April 19, on Route 49, officer Daniel Breslin’s SUV was struck from behind by Ettz’s Ford Fusion as it was stopped on the right lane of the highway with its lights flashing. The crash occurred at around 1:50 a.m., and Breslin had reportedly been checking on another officer who was having audio trouble and had a vehicle pulled over to the side of the roadway.
Ettz suffered minor injuries in the crash and allegedly attempted to flee the scene on foot, but was caught a short time later.
As of last week, Breslin, 39, remained in critical condition at Hackensack University Medical Center. He was reportedly trapped in his SUV after the accident, and extricated by emergency responders following the crash.
“We believe alcohol substantially contributed to the collision,” Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli said in a press release.
NorthJersey.com reported that Ettz had his license suspended previously for a DWI conviction. The news outlet reported that his driving privileges were restored in July 2013 following a 240-day suspension for a November 2012 DWI in Clifton.
Lodi School Superintendent Frank Quatrone described Ettz as well liked by students and staff, but said that the district would refrain from commenting on the case out of respect to the parties involved. The district is expected to suspend Ettz from his duties during a school board meeting.
A Drunk Driver Injured Me. What Do I Need to Do?
Drunk driving accidents are problematic in the Garden State. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), in 2012, there were 164 drunk driving fatalities in New Jersey, representing 28 percent of all vehicle accident fatalities.
Driving while under the influence of alcohol can lead to serious consequences for everyone on the roadway. Contact us toll free at (800) 711-5258 to schedule a free initial consultation or complete the form on this page to let our skilled attorneys review your case if you have been injured or had a loved one killed in a DUI accident.
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Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman, P.C. – Bergen County Injury Lawyers