Wildwood Beach, the site of the accident. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
A woman lying on a New Jersey beach a few days before Labor Day weekend was run over by a police vehicle in front of horrified onlookers.
According to reports, the victim of the unfortunate accident was sunbathing on Wildwood Beach when the pickup truck, a Ford F-150, ran over her.
“People were just screaming, ‘You hit somebody! Somebody’s under your truck! Stop!’” witness Rose Simone told NJ.com. “Everybody is just gathering around the area and then the cop jumps out of his truck.”
Simone went on to say that the officer who ran her over didn’t exit his vehicle until bystanders gathered around the truck and began trying to dig her out from underneath it.
According to reports, she suffered broken ribs and vertebrae. After she was pulled from under the truck, she was airlifted to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center and treated for her injuries. She is also experiencing lung problems, but is expected to make a full recovery.
Wildwood Police Chief Joseph Murphy told reporters that the officer was on duty and responding to an ordinance violation when he ran the woman over. “The officer was down there in performance of his duties, on a call for service,” Murphy said. “Horrifically, he ran over a victim who was laying on the beach… We’re hoping she makes a speedy recovery.”
The incident is under investigation to establish exactly how it happened. “There was a lot of help from people on the beach,” Murphy said. “The civilians on the beach did an incredible job… We did take numerous statements from witnesses at the scene, but anyone with more information should reach out to Wildwood police or the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office.”
This is the most recent in a string of incidents involving New Jersey police and beachgoers. In mid-August, Belmar police found themselves the focus of internet outrage when footage hit the internet showing them putting a surfer in a chokehold after he didn’t display a beach badge, a $12 pass allowing people to access the sand.
