Alleged drunk driver injuries Byram police officer

STANHOPE – A police officer was hit by an alleged drunk driver while he was attempting to check on a pedestrian walking in the road, police said.

At 1 a.m. on Saturday, Byram Police Officer Daniel DeWald stopped on Route 206 north near its split with Route 183 north to check on a man who was walking in the road.

As DeWald was getting out of his patrol car to speak to the man, it was hit in the rear by another vehicle traveling Route 206 north. The impact of the crash, threw DeWald from the car onto the shoulder of the road.

Sgt. Charles Zweigle of Stanhope and Patrolman Larry Mendelsohn of Byram were among the first to respond and were joined by Sgt. Guy Mariani and state police officers. Police from Netcong, Roxbury, Mount Olive, Hopatcong and Andover also responded to DeWald’s call for assistance.

DeWald was taken to Newton Hospital for treatment of multiple minor injuries by Lakeland Emergency Medical Services.

Monica L. Hidalgo-Beltram, 29, of Byram, who was driving the car was also taken to Newton Hospital for treatment of minor injuries as was a passenger in her car, Maria J. Burzapalva. All three were released after being treated. The pedestrian was not injured.

Hidalgo-Beltran was charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and assault by auto. Burzapalva, who owned the vehicle, was charged with allowing an intoxicated person to operate her vehicle.

The pedestrian, Robert M. Cloughsey, was charged with pedestrian crossing highway where prohibited.