Wayne Cop Suffers Head, Neck Injuries After Being Hit By Postal Truck, Police Say

A Wayne police officer suffered head and neck injuries while riding his bike on Demarest Drive Saturday morning, authorities said.

Officer Sean Mitchell was off duty when he was struck by a United States Postal Service truck on Demarest Drive at approximately 10:20 a.m., said Capt. Laurence Martin.

Mitchell, a member of the Wayne Police Department’s Patrol Division, was training for the Multiple Sclerosis Bike Run scheduled for next month. Mitchell participates in the annual event. He is a 16-year veteran with the department.

Mitchell, 47, sustained head and neck injuries and was transported to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson, Martin said. He was wearing his helmet when the accident occurred.

“If he wasn’t wearing a helmet, it could have been much worse,” Martin said.

The truck’s driver was charged with careless driving.

Mitchell remains at St. Joseph’s in guarded condition, Martin said. Guarded condition is not as serious as critical condition, but doctors will continue to monitor Mitchell’s condition closely.

Martin said there has been no word on how long Mitchell will be off duty.

MItchell joined the department in 1999. He was a detective with the investigative unit, but transferred back to the patrol division.

“He is a very aggressive officer when it comes to narcotics violations on the road,” Martin said.

Mitchell is a member of the Wayne Police Unity Tour team that bicycles from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. annually. The tour raises money for the National Law Enforcement memorial.

“He keeps himself in very good shape. He’s a strong guy, both mentally and physically,” Martin said. “We wish him a speedy and complete recovery.”

(Pictured: Officer Sean Mitchell, lower right/Patch file photo)