Manchester Police Tragedies Underscore Reason For Move Over Law

MANCHESTER, NJ — It's a message delivered frequently: motorists reminded to move over when they approach a police vehicle or first responder pulled over, lights going, on the side of the road.

The state's Move Over law has been in place since 2009, but despite that there are still motorists who do not follow the law, putting police officers and others in harm's way.

That's certainly been true in Manchester Township. The Township Council and Mayor Ken Palmer declared August "Move Over for Safety Month" to continue to remind motorists of the importance of following the law.

The failure of drivers to do so has resulted in tragedy in Manchester. In 1975, Manchester Patrolman Robert Tobias was hit and killed during a traffic stop. In August 2018, four officers were injured when an SUV driven by a man who was accused of being impaired hit a vehicle that had been pulled over for a traffic stop.

One of the four, Detective Peter Manco, remains unable to fully work, Police Chief Lisa Parker said. "Despite a year of intense rehabilitation, Detective Manco, a truly dedicated officer and asset to Manchester Township, will not be able to return to full duty."

"Thank you, Mayor Palmer and members of council, for recognizing the importance of the Move Over Law and helping to educate the public through this proclamation," said Parker, who was joined by Manco to accept the proclamation. "As we unfortunately know, both here in Manchester and throughout the state, working along the roadside is a dangerous yet necessary part of being a first responder. We urge motorists to help keep our officers safe by moving over and slowing down when they see emergency vehicles."

Parker and Manco were joined for the presentation by Donna Setaro, whose son, New Jersey State Trooper Marc Castellano, was struck and killed in the line of duty by a motorist who failed to move over on June 6, 2010.

Since her son's death, Setaro has given dozens of presentations on the Move Over Law to high school students across New Jersey, educating more than 100,000 on the law as they prepare to get their driver's licenses. She also has been an advocate for strengthening the law.

The crash that injured Manco and three other Manchester officers — Patrolmen Christian Nazario and Gavin Reilly and Sgt. Richard Mazza — happened a day before a memorial was unveiled on the section of Route 195 to honor Castellano. Manco suffered knee and leg injuries in the crash.

Patrolman Kyle Rickvalsky also was nearly hit in November 2017 but dove out of the way in the nick of time, Manchester police said at the time of that incident. Video of that incident from his dashcam was shared by police.

"New Jersey’s Move Over law is designed to save lives and prevent injuries. Remember, this law is in effect YEAR-ROUND. So whenever you see flashing lights on the side of the road, MOVE OVER!" Manchester police said in a post on the department's Facebook page about the proclamation.

The Move Over lawaims to reduce deaths or injuries to roadside emergency workers such as police officers, firefighters, ambulance drivers, road crews and tow truck operators. It requires motorists to do the following when they approach a vehicle that is stopped with flashing, blinking or alternating red or blue lights:

• Approach with caution
• Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the emergency vehicle, if possible based on the existing safety and traffic conditions
• Reduce their speed below the posted speed limit and be prepared to stop if a lane change is impossible, is prohibited by law or is unsafe.

New Jersey is one of 30 states that also requires drivers to use caution, change lanes or reduce speed for parked tow trucks with flashing amber lights and highway maintenance or emergency service vehicles with flashing yellow, amber or red lights.

With Labor Day weekend approaching, Manchester police urged motorists to not drink and drive and to plan for alternate transportation if the holiday plans involve alcohol.

"Major roads may be congested this weekend and into the coming summer months, so please be vigilant, patient, and refrain from texting and driving," police said.

Video of the collision that injured Manco:

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