DWI charge after man crashes into Randolph police car

RANDOLPH – A Morristown resident was charged with drunk driving after he damaged two police cars and injured an officer, police said.

At 12:55 a.m. on Wednesday, Officer Michael Puskas was working in a construction zone on Sussex Turnpike at its intersection with Mount Freedom Avenue.

Sussex Turnpike was closed with barricades and cones set up and officers were working this detail to block the road to provide protection to the construction zone, police said.

A detour was set up to divert traffic to Mount Freedom Avenue and Puskas had his vehicle parked about 30 feet west of the closure, and was sitting in his vehicle with his emergency lights activated, police said.

Officer Sean Verbist also was at the road closure and parked next to Puskas with his emergency lights activated.

John Paulsen, 20, of Morristown, was driving a 2002 Toyota RAV4 east on Sussex Turnpike when he drove through the barricades and cones, police said.

Verbist yelled to Puskas and tried to move his vehicle out of the way but Paulsen struck Puskas' patrol vehicle head on while Puskas was still seated in the vehicle, police said.

The impact of the crash caused extensive damage to the patrol car and Paulsens car. In addition, debris from the crash also caused damage to the patrol vehicle operated by Verbist, police said.

Puskas was injured in the crash so he was taken to Morristown Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries and later released.

Paulsen was not injured but he was charged with assault by auto, driving while intoxicated, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also issued several motor vehicle summons and released pending a court date.

The Morris County Sheriff's office assisted with the crime scene investigation. In addition, the Randolph Rescue Squad and Randolph Fire Department assisted at the crash.