Crime & Safety

Scotch Plains Officer Arrested For DWI, Fleeing Police

The Scotch Plains officer fled from police in a reckless manner, driving off the road several times and striking a guard rail: police

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — A Scotch Plains Police Officer was arrested for driving while intoxicated and fleeing from a Hunterdon County officer, according to police.

Stephanie Roggina, 26, of Flemington was recently hired as a police officer in Scotch Plains in June, according to tapinto.net.

A Readington Township Police Officer reported seeing a black Ford Edge stopped at the stop sign on Hillcest Road at the intersection of County Route 629 for a long period of time with no traffic in the area on Friday, Aug. 26 around 11:36 p.m.

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When the officer went to check on the driver, who was later identified as Roggina, the car took off, according to the report.

"The officer pursued the Ford with lights and siren activated with the Ford being driven off the roadway several times and in a reckless manner, once striking a guard rail on County Route 629," according to the report.

Find out what's happening in Scotch Plains-Fanwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

When the officer was finally able to stop Roggina on Locust Road, he reported observed signs of intoxication.

Roggina was arrested and charged with Eluding, Driving While Intoxicated, Obstructing Passage of Other Vehicles, Reckless Driving, Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle, and Leaving the Scene of a Crash.

She was later released and turned over to a sober adult with a pending court date.

(Image via Shutterstock)



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