By: Richard L. Smith
An 18-year-old New York resident, Joseph Ford, was arrested following a serious multi-car accident on Route 17 South in Saddle River, New Jersey, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella.
The crash occurred on the night of Saturday, October 5, 2024, when Ford lost control of his vehicle, triggering a chain-reaction collision that left two police officers and others injured.
The incident began when Saddle River Police Officer John Latka conducted a routine traffic stop on Route 17 South, near East Allendale Road. Allendale Police Officer Mark Dunn Jr. arrived on the scene to assist with the stop.
While both officers were on the shoulder of the highway, Bergen County officials said with emergency lights activated, a Range Rover SUV driven by Ford veered off the road and rear-ended Officer Dunn’s patrol car, setting off a four-car crash.
The collision involved the vehicle originally stopped by the officers, both police patrol cars, and Ford’s Range Rover.
Immediately after the crash, Ford fled the scene on foot but was quickly apprehended by officers from nearby departments.
The crash caused significant injuries, including serious bodily harm to Officer Dunn and injuries to Officer Latka.
Additionally, one of Ford's passengers and an occupant of the vehicle stopped by police suffered minor injuries.
All individuals were transported to local hospitals, where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
A joint investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit and the Saddle River Police Department revealed that Ford was driving under the influence and speeding at the time of the crash.
Ford remains hospitalized and in custody.
He faces multiple charges, including assault by auto, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving while intoxicated.
Once released from the hospital, he is expected to make his first court appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack.