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Police: Suspected drunk driver strikes police officer's cruiser with his vehicle; officer injured

Police say a suspected drunk driver was arrested after they say he struck a Jefferson police cruiser with his vehicle in Morris County while the officer sat in it.

News 12 Staff

Aug 29, 2022, 10:39 AM

Updated 845 days ago

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Police say a suspected drunk driver was arrested after they say he struck a Jefferson police cruiser with his vehicle in Morris County while the officer sat in it.
The incident happened Aug. 28 around 3:06 a.m. on Route 15 north near Berkshire Valley Road.
According to police, Officer Tyler Lamantia was sitting in his marked patrol vehicle when he was struck from behind by a suspected intoxicated driver. LaMantia was assisting other officers with a motor vehicle accident when the incident occurred.
Police say Lamantia was taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital for bodily injuries sustained during the crash.
The driver, identified as David Prontnicki, 45, of Budd Lake, was operating the vehicle that struck LaMantia's patrol car. Prontnicki was arrested at the scene for suspicion of driving under the influence.