Holly MatkinRobbinsville, NJ – Dashcam footage captured the terrifying moment when a Robbinsville police officer was mowed down by a hit-and-run driver on Saturday while assisting another motorist on the side of the road (video below).
The incident occurred on Route 130 Southbound at mile marker 66.1 at approximately 11:30 p.m. on April 22, the Robbinsville Police Department (RPD) said in a press release the following morning.
RPD Officer Connor Boyle, 25, spotted a driver who had pulled over and was having vehicle problems, so he stopped his marked Dodge Charger patrol vehicle, activated his emergency lights, and walked over to help the stranded motorist.
Dashcam footage showed the young officer developing a plan to help push the disabled vehicle into a nearby parking lot when the driver of a southbound 2020 Volkswagen Passat suddenly crashed into his cruiser, then plowed directly into him from behind.
Officer Boyle was thrown into the air and out of the camera’s view as a result of the collision.
The stranded motorist he had been speaking with was not struck.
The driver who slammed into the officer didn’t even pause before fleeing the scene.
She was later identified as 52-year-old Rachel Glatt.
Police noted Glatt “did not stop to render aid or report the crash” before she drove off.
Officer Boyle was able to radio for help and was subsequently rushed to Capital Health Regional Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.
Investigators tracked Glatt down at her home in East Windsor and arrested her on charges of second-degree aggravated assault on a police officer, assault by auto, careless driving, reckless driving, failure to change lanes for an emergency vehicle, failure to maintain lane, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving personal injury, and failure to report a motor vehicle crash.
She was booked into the Mercer County Correctional Facility on the slew of charges.
RPD Chief Michael Polaski announced in a press release on April 24 that Officer Boyle has been released from the hospital and is continuing his recovery at home.
Chief Polaski said he is expected to make a full recovery and that he is looking forward to getting back to work as the school resource officer at Pond Road Middle School.
“We want to thank Robbinsville Division of Fire and EMS, Capital Health Medic Unit, As well as the Nurses and Doctors at Capitol Health Regional Trauma Center for taking such great care of Patrolman Boyle,” the chief said.
“We would like to also thank our Community, Our Elected Officials, local business owners, our colleagues in Law Enforcement, Fire and EMS for your outpouring of support, thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement,” he added. “They mean the world to Patrolman Boyle and all of the Police Officers and Dispatchers of the Robbinsville Police Department.”
Watch the incident unfold in the video below. Warning – Graphic Content and Obscene Language:
