Video: Alleged Impaired Driver Hits SUV At Manchester Police Stop

MANCHESTER, NJ — Video from a police officer's dash camera patrol vehicle captured an alleged impaired driver hitting a vehicle as Manchester Township police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 37 Thursday night. police said Friday.

Four Manchester Township police officers — Patrolmen Peter Manco, Christian Nazario and Gavin Reilly and Sgt. Richard Mazza — all were injured in the incident, which happenend near Northampton Boulevard in Toms River, Manchester Capt. Todd Malland said.

Manco suffered injuries to his knees and legs and was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where was treated and later released, Malland said. Nazario, Reilly and Mazza suffered minor injuries to hands, knees and elbows but did not require additional medical treatment at the scene.

Reilly had pulled over a 1997 Ford Explorer on Route 37 east near Northampton Boulevard as part of an investigation by the Manchester Narcotics Enforcement Unit, Malland said.

As Reilly and the others were conducting the investigation, at 11:39 p.m. a Ford Expedition that was headed east hit the Explorer. The officers were standing near the Explorer at the time of the crash and had the driver of the Explorer outside of the vehicle and under arrest, he said.

The video shows the officers stumbling back after the Explorer is hit and at least one person getting knocked to the ground.

The driver of the Expedition, Christopher Zarro, 39, of Manchester, immediately stopped after the crash and got out of his vehicle, Malland said. Zarro did not appear to be injured and refused medical treatment.

Manchester police said Zarro was charged with driving while intoxicated. Toms River police on Saturday said Zarro’s blood alcohol content registered zero on the breathalyzer tests. "After all performed tests the DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) collected a urine sample which he believes will conclude Mr. Zarro was under the influence of a narcotic analgesic and was unable to operate a motor vehicle safely," Jillian Messina of the Toms River Police Department said on Saturday. She said the department has not yet received the results of the tests on the urine sample and did not have an estimate on when they would be available.

The man arrested during the initial motor vehicle stop sustained minor injuries to his back and legs but refused medical attention at the scene, he said.

The motor vehicle crash and DWI incident are being investigated by Toms River police.

"This incident comes just one day before Governor Phil Murphy officially dedicates a section of Interstate 195 in honor of New Jersey State Police Trooper Marc K. Castellano, who in 2010, was killed in the line of duty when he was struck by a vehicle while on the shoulder of that highway," Malland said. "We would like to remind drivers that it is the law (NJ Title 39:4-92.2) to slow down, and if safe, move over – away from police, fire crews, paramedics and tow truck drivers when they see flashing lights on the side of the road."

Drivers are encouraged to visit www.moveoverlaw.com for more information.

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Note: This article has been updated with additional information from the Toms River Police Department regarding Christopher Zarro.

Photo via video provided by Manchester Township Police; other photos provided by Manchester police