Police Officer On Distracted Driving Patrol Hit By Distracted Driver In Howell: Police

HOWELL, NJ — A Howell Township police officer on a distracted driving enforcement patrol was hit by a driver who was distracted by his GPS, Howell police said Thursday.

The collision Wednesday on West Farms Road injured three people, none of them seriously, Howell Sgt. Christian Antunez said.

Patrolman Michael Moore was westbound on West Farms Road in a marked 2015 Ford Explorer about 1:30 p.m. when a 2011 Subaru Legacy driven by Gregory Nayvelt, 80, of Howell, failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Casino Drive and West Farms Road, Antunez said.

Nayvelt, who was southbound, crossed West Farms Road into Moore's lane of travel, resulting in an unavoidable collision, he said. Moore was able to get out his vehicle and check on the occupants of the other vehicle; Gregory Nayvelt had to be extricated from his vehicle by first responders, Antunez said.

The investigation at the scene revealed that Nayvelt had been using his cell phone GPS navigation for directions and did not see the stop sign, Antunez said. Lyudmila Nayvelt, 75, of Howell, was a front-seat passenger in Nayvelt’s vehicle, and both along with Moore were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center by Howell Police EMS and CentraState paramedics for minor injuries consisting of complaints of pain, he said.

The crash was witnessed by four people who said they saw the Subaru fail to stop at the stop sign, Antunez said.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene. Lt. Eileen Dodd is investigating the crash and will be issuing Mr. Nayvelt the appropriate citations for the offenses involved, Antunez said.

"Ironically, Patrolman Moore was enforcing the statewide ‘U Drive, U Text, U Pay’ campaign against distracted driving when this collision occurred," Police Chief Andrew Kudrick Jr. said. "The campaign flyers were strewn about the passenger compartment of his patrol vehicle."

"Distracted driving, specifically cell phone use, has been a contributing factor in the majority of crashes in Howell," Kudrick said. "This is another unfortunate example of the consequences of these violations.
Fortunately, all involved will recover. However, a life, including yours, could be lost and it can be prevented. Put the phone down and just drive."

Howell Police EMS, Howell First Aid, Farmingdale First Aid, MONOC paramedics and the Adelphia Fire
Company responded to the scene.

Photo via Howell Township Police