Police say a 67-year-old driver struck a marked patrol car head-on while traveling the wrong way in Warren County.
KNOWLTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. – A Pennsylvania man is facing multiple charges after allegedly driving the wrong way on Interstate 80 and crashing head-on into a New Jersey State Police vehicle early Monday morning.
According to a preliminary investigation, 67-year-old Robert Felegi of Middleport, Pennsylvania, was operating a Nissan pickup truck westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-80 shortly after midnight. Around 12:23 a.m., troopers responded to reports of a wrong-way vehicle moving through Knowlton Township in Warren County.
A state trooper driving eastbound with emergency lights and sirens activated attempted to slow traffic to alert motorists of the hazard ahead. Moments later, near milepost 1.4, Felegi’s vehicle collided head-on with the marked patrol car.
The trooper sustained minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Felegi was uninjured and taken into custody at the scene.
Suspect charged with DUI and assault by auto
Investigators determined that Felegi was under the influence at the time of the crash. He was charged with driving under the influence and assault by auto, then lodged in the Warren County Jail pending a detention hearing. No other vehicles were involved in the collision.
Authorities said the incident remains under investigation, and additional charges may be considered depending on toxicology results and further findings.
Crash underscores statewide impaired driving crackdown
The crash occurred during New Jersey’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement initiative, an annual December campaign aimed at reducing impaired driving incidents statewide.
State Police officials commended the trooper involved, describing his actions as “heroic” and noting that his attempt to slow approaching traffic likely prevented additional injuries and collisions.
Felegi is scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing later this week as the investigation continues.
