Alpine police officer charged with DWI in pedestrian crash

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: An off-duty Alpine police officer was charged with DWI and will likely face additional counts after his car struck a pedestrian in Union County before dawn yesterday.

Photo Credit: *Cliffview Pilot File Photo*

Jerry DeMarco

12/20/2013 6:46 p.m.

The 20-year-old victim, Patryk Plichta, was crossing North Stiles Street at Blancke Street just after 2 a.m. when he was struck by a 2002 Nissan driven by Wendell Simpson, Linden Police Sgt. Michael Babulski said.

Plichta was listed in serious condition at University Hospital in Newark.

Simpson, a 13-year department veteran, was released on a summons pending the results of an investigation, Babulski said.

Although the criminal side is in Linden’s authority, Alpine police are conducting an internal affairs review, CLIFFVIEW PILOT has learned.

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