Police in Ocean Township (Monmouth County) are looking for information and witnesses who saw a driver sideswipe a patrol car and knock an officer to the ground on Route 18 southbound Thursday evening around 6:30 pm.

Ocean Police Officer Glennis Polanco was assisting the NJ DOT with blocking the left lane of Route 18 southbound in the area of Route 66 while debris from a previous crash was being cleared.

Her police vehicle was then sideswiped by another vehicle traveling southbound.

Officer Polanco was standing outside of her vehicle when it was struck and the impact of the crash caused the police vehicle to move several feet.

Officer Polanco was knocked to the ground in the process and she sustained injuries.

She was treated and released from the hospital.

Anyone who may have witnessed this crash or has any further information, please contact the Township of Ocean Police Department at 732-531-1800 or Officer Ryan Krug of the Traffic Safety Unit.

On Monday of this week Governor Phil Murphy signed into law an expansion bill of the 'Move Over Law' named the "Slow Down or Move Over, It's the Law Act" which instructs drivers to reduce their speed and change lanes when approaching an authorized emergency vehicle, tow or highway maintenance truck with flashing or blinking lights.

Under the existing law, a driver who fails to slow down or move over for an emergency vehicle or maintenance truck that has its emergency lights on would be subject to a fine between $100 and $500.

However, under the new law (A-3890), if a driver is convicted of this offense three or more times in a single year, they will lose two motor vehicle points on their driver’s license.

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