Man Admits Trying to Run Over Cop While Driving Drunk in North Jersey

The Sparta man accused of driving drunk and trying to run over a township police officer in the middle of the roadway admitted to the charges Monday in Superior Court in Newton, and now faces jail time.

According to njherald.com, Jeffrey Ramirez, 23, of Sparta, pleaded guilty to a slew of offenses, including eluding a law-enforcement officer; aggravated assault by auto against a law enforcement officer; and resisting arrest. He also pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, failure to keep right, and disregarding a traffic signal.

On Saturday, Jan. 31, Sparta Township Sgt. Jeff Mase was made aware of an erratic motorist on Route 15 just after 10 p.m. The officer then positioned his patrol vehicle at a jug handle to observe traffic, original police reports showed.

A group of vehicles then approached, one of which was driven by Ramirez, police said. When Mase went to speak with Ramirez, the driver stepped on the gas toward Mase, forcing the officer to dive out of the way and onto the pavement, causing injuries to his back and neck, police said.

In fleeing the scene, which was caught on dashcam video, Ramirez struck the patrol car, blew through an intersection, and raced to his home, police said. He was later located and arrested.

Ramirez was originally given a $78,500 bail with no 10-percent option. His sentencing date is scheduled for July 31.

See related:
Police: Drunken Sparta Man Tried Running Over Cop, Resisted Arrest
WATCH: Alleged Drunken Driver Hits North Jersey Cop, Patrol Car

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