Off-Duty Cop Drove Drunk, Injured Person In Passaic Co. Crash: Prosecutor

CLIFTON, NJ — An off-duty Paterson police officer drove drunk during an accident that injured a person, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office. Noel Ramos drove recklessly last month and caused a three-vehicle crash, resulting in charges Friday, authorities said.

The crash took place just after midnight Feb. 13 around 432 Lexington Ave., Clifton, according to the prosecutor's office. Police found Ramos's 2019 Dodge Challenger in the middle of the roadway. Ramos struck an occupied vehicle, causing it to hit a third vehicle parked nearby, the prosecutor's office said.

The person in the first vehicle struck sustained injuries, according to authorities. Officials took him to St. Mary's General Hospital in Passaic, where he was treated and released. Authorities did not publicly identify the injured person.

Further investigation revealed that Ramos's blood alcohol content exceeded the legal limit during the crash, the prosecutor's office said. The 27-year-old Garfield man was charged Friday with assault by auto causing bodily injury within 1,000 feet of school property (third-degree), driving while intoxicated and reckless driving.

Authorities processed Ramos's charges Friday and released him. His first court appearance at Central Judicial Processing is set for 1:30 p.m. April 4.

Ramos makes an annual salary of $43,777, according to state records.

Anyone with additional information about the incident can contact the prosecutor's office's tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org.

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