Morrisville Borough Police Corporal William Smith was released from the Hospital eary Tuesday and the Trenton Man that rear-ended him was charged with an array of summary offenses, Falls Township authorities said Wednesday,
Smith’s Police SUV was struck from behind by Juan Martinez, 41 from Trenton, New Jersey, police said.
“While impairment was not a factor in causation, it was determined that Martinez had an active arrest warrant from the Bucks County Sheriff’s Department, for which he was taken into custody,” Lt. Chris Clark said.
The Trenton man currently has one open and active case for DUI, and related offenses, in Bucks County dating back to 2017. He is scheduled to appear for a “pre-trial guilty plea conference” on October 26. He is represented by the public defender’s office. according to online court records.
Smith was then transported to Capital Health for evaluation and treatment,officials said.
Smith has over 16 years of law enforcement experience, according to officials, and has served as a firefighter for more then 25 years. He has received several Chief’s awards for heroism and bravery. He has also been recognized by the Senate of Pennsylvania and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives for exceptional service and dedication to the fire services
Smith,among his most recent felony arrests, is credited with the arrest of a serial thief out of Trenton, who has a long history of preying on Morrisville businesses, according to police and court records.
Chief of Police George McClay said earlier today, Smith is Hoping to be cleared today so he can return to duty.
Credit: PennDOT
Borough officials at Tuesday night’s Council meeting, said Smith was released from the hospital earlier that day. Mayor Brud Anderson noted two officers were injured, on the job, recently, however, he did not provide specific details on those incidents.
PA75-1786(f)-Financial Responsibility
He remains in Bucks County Prison on the Sheriff’s warrant, according to county court records. No hearing date is scheduled at this time.
McClay told Council he suspected Martinez didn’t see Smith because he was on his cell phone. On impact, he said, the phone went through the front windshield of the Honda, Martinez was driving.
Smith’s Police SUV is “totaled” McClay said noting it’s one of the oldest ones in the fleet and hopes borough insurance will pay for a brand new one.
McClay added he was “touched” by the community’s response to the news accident.
“It really touched me to see who cares and knows what’s really going on.”
He said the accident could have had a far worse outcome
“We were lucky, he said, “if he was out of his car, he would have been dead.”
Credit: YouTube Screen Shot
In related Morrisville news a new full-time Police officer, William T. McDonald Jr., was sworn in by Anderson at the beginning of Tuesday nights meeting Council meeting.