North Jersey Cop Charged With DWI After Hitting Train Trestle

A 22-year-old North Jersey police officer was charged Tuesday with DWI after hitting a train trestle and seriously injuring three people, according to prosecutors.

Christopher Astacio of Paterson was arrested in connection with the serious motor vehicle accident that took place on Dec.16, 2017 in the area of Straight and Fulton Streets in Paterson, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office

Astacio is charged with assault by auto causing serious bodily injury and driving while intoxicated, according to the PCPO.

At the time of the crash, Astacio was employed as a Paterson Police officer, but he was off-duty at the time of the incident.

The accident happened at approximately 3:35 a.m. when police responded to the area in response to a report of a serious motor vehicle accident, with one occupant unresponsive.

Upon arrival, they found Astacio’s 2011 Acura TL in the roadway, having struck a train trestle at that location, according to the PCPO. Astacio and one of his passengers were located outside of the vehicle, having suffered injuries.

A third occupant in the vehicle, was entrapped in the vehicle and initially unresponsive, having suffered serious injuries. Astacio was treated for his injuries at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson, and was
discharged seven days later, the PCPO said.

The investigation revealed that Astacio had been operating his vehicle recklessly with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit at the time of the crash, the PCPO said.

Astacio was processed and released on a summons Complaint Tuesday, and is scheduled to appear at Central Judicial Processing on Wednesday, March 14 at 1:30, p.m.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on its tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org.

Patch photo