Woman Hits ER Doctor, Boyfriend Shoves Staff, Cops Say

A woman seeking treatment at Hackettstown Regional Medical Center’s emergency room was arrested Tuesday night after becoming physically violent with staff members, police said.

Police responded to the emergency room at 7 p.m. for a report of a physical dispute, Sgt. Darren Tynan said. When police arrived they heard Ashley Finkelstein, 21, of Independence Township, screaming and yelling at hospital staff, Tynan said.

An investigation revealed Finkelstein became agitated when hospital staff told her to sit down in her room, Tynan said. When a staff member attempted to escort her to her bed, she became combative and hit a doctor on the side of his head, causing his eyeglasses to be damaged, Tynan said.

Finkelstein also grabbed a nurse by the arm, Tynan said.

The investigation also revealed Finkelstein’s boyfriend, Darrien Johnson, 20, of Budd Lake, became argumentative with staff when he was removed from his girlfriend’s room, Tynan said. Johnson shoved staff members and security, Tynan said.

Finkelstein was charged with aggravated assault on an emergency service worker, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct. Johnson was charged with two counts of disorderly conduct. Both were released pending court appearances.

Subscribe to Long Valley Patch’s free daily newsletter for more local news, and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox, by clicking here.