BUTLER, NJ (Morris County) – A Butler police officer who was injured in a head-on crash Friday night has been released from the hospital, according to Butler Police Chief Scott Ricker.
On July 26, at around 10:15 p.m., officers were conducting a speed enforcement detail on Bartholdi Avenue when a black Ford Explorer, driven by Charles Dampman, was observed operating at a “high rate of speed,” police said.
Dampman drove the vehicle into the opposite lane of travel and into on-coming traffic, He then drove head-on into Patrolman Brunda’s patrol car which was legally parked, police said.
Patrolman Brunda suffered injuries and was transported to Morristown Medical Center. He was later released early Saturday morning, police said.
A passenger Dampman’s vehicle sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital, police said.
A officer arrived on scene and observed Dampman exit the driver side of the vehicle. Due to observations and information obtained at the scene, he was arrested. Dampman had blood drawn at the hospital for chemical testing, police said.
Dampman was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault causing bodily injury, aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, assault by auto, assault by auto causing serious bodily injury and endangering another person. Additionally, he was issued several motor vehicle summonses including but not limited to driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and failure to maintain Lane.
Dampman was lodged at the Morris County Jail.
Butler Officers were assisted at the scene by officers from Kinnelon, Riverdale, Bloomingdale and Pompton Lakes Police Departments, the TriBoro First Aid Squad, Atlantic Medics and the Pompton Lakes First Aid Squad.
The Butler fire department assisted at the scene with extinguishing the car fire.
