Cop Was Right To Ticket Man Whose Wife Was In Labor, Chief Says

HOWELL, NJ — The Howell Township Police Department is pushing back against a claim that a police officer was rude during a traffic stop to a man and his pregnant wife who was in labor.

A statement released Tuesday by Howell Township Police Chief Andrew J. Kudrick Jr. said an internal review was conducted of the stop, which happened at Nov. 14 at 11:57 p.m. The review and statement were prompted by a report from the driver in the Lakewood Scoop. He described the officer as speaking to him "curtly" during the incident in which the man was pulled over for speeding. The driver also claimed the traffic stop lasted 15 minutes and said his wife gave birth shortly after arriving at the hospital.

The man — whose name was withheld by both Howell police and the Lakewood Scoop — said in his account that his wife had been to the doctor that morning and the doctor told them that when she went into labor, they should get to the hospital fast because the baby would be born quickly. Along the way, the man said, his wife told him she was nearly ready to give birth and he frantically "picked up speed, without realizing I was going way over the speed limit."

After he was pulled over, the driver said he told the police officer his wife was in advanced labor: "I tried explaining the severity of the situation, but he cut me off without inquiring in what condition my wife is, and just asked for license and registration. We pleaded with him to please make it fast as we are in an emergency, but he answered curtly: sit tight." The man's account of the incident claims the patrolman "left me stranded for 15 minutes" while his wife was in active labor, and sought advice on how to fight the speeding ticket. The baby was born at 12:35 a.m. at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, according to the man's account.

Kudrick, who released a bodycam video of the incident, said the traffic stop by Patrolman Anthony Marotta lasted 9 minutes, 29 seconds.

Kudrick gave this account of the stop:

Marotta pulled over the minivan on Route 547 (Squankum Road) between Maxim Road and Old Tavern Road and approached the minivan, and asked for the man's license and registration "as the operator explains that his wife, who is in the passenger seat, is in 'advanced labor.' "

The man then tells Marotta that the doctor told them to go to the hospital. Marotta explains to the driver that he was stopped for doing “almost 80 in a 50”. This exchange lasted about 40 seconds, Kudrick said.

Marotta returns to his vehicle, fills out a summons for speeding and returns to the operator’s vehicle within 6 minutes of the initial conversation, Kudrick said.

"As Ptl. Marotta approaches the operator he asks him if they would like an ambulance to respond to the scene. The operator and passenger decline and ask for a police escort, which the officer properly declines as that would be a violation of departmental policy," Kudrick said.

Marotta again asks if they want an ambulance, to which the woman in labor responds, "No I do not want an ambulance." Marotta asks, "Are you sure?” and she replies "Yes."

"Ptl. Marotta again offers assistance stating, 'I can call them and they can at least follow you or take you up there.' The female then calmly asks the officer if they can 'just go' to which the officer responds 'Ok' and gives the operator instructions on calling the court regarding the summons. He also cautions the operator on speeding on the roadway adding to the risk of getting in an accident and not getting to the hospital especially, 'tonight there’s a lot of deer out.'"

Kudrick said Marotta again offered to call an ambulance but the driver tells him, "She’s not pushing yet just broke her water."

"The operator, not the officer, then prolongs the stop asking who he can call to 'explain the situation' and address the ticket despite reports to the contrary," Kudrick said.

"The interaction during the stop was polite and respectful. Both the operator of the vehicle, his pregnant wife and the officer were calm, respectful and courteous to one another. We certainly understand how stressful the moments leading up to birth can be, especially on a woman, and we commend them for their respectful demeanor under the circumstances," Kudrick said. "However, the officer acted appropriately and any suggestion that the officer’s conduct was improper, unprofessional or inhumane simply contradicts the video evidence."

"We are happy to hear the occupants arrived safely at the hospital and had a successful delivery. We wish them the best," Kudrick said.

Photo via Howell Township Police Department