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maroman88 · 07-15-2009, 12:54 AM

BREAKING NEWS: Traffic cop injured at Sonic drive-in
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Last updated: Wednesday July 15, 2009, 12:08 AM
BY JUSTO BAUTISTA AND WILLIAM LAMB
NorthJersey.com
Staff Writers
0 Comments HASBROUCK HEIGHTS — A borough police officer directing traffic outside the wildly popular Sonic drive-in was injured tonight when he was struck by a car, police said.

The officer, whose name was not immediately released, was in serious condition at Hackensack University Medical Center, police said. They still were interviewing witnesses late tonight, and released few details.

Several teenagers in their cars at the drive-in heard the crash and ran to the scene, on Route 17 north. They saw a Honda Civic with its front end smashed, facing north, and up against an Acura SUV facing south, both vehicle pinned against the center median in the northbound lane.

They said they saw the officer pinned between the two cars. “The officer wasn’t moving … his eyes were closed,” said Ryan Conlon, 17, of Allendale.

“We heard, like, a screech, and then a loud thud … it sounded like somebody hit something heavy,” said Conlon, who was at the drive-in with two friends, Brandon Neuburger, 18, of Allendale, and Nicole Piazza, 18, of Ho-Ho-Kus.

Police called for help from other departments along Route 17 to help clear the way while en route to the hospital with the injured officer.

The Sonic on Route 17 north opened last month. Another Sonic is planned for Route 46 east in Totowa. Witnesses and customers described the hamburger joint, billed as America’s Drive-in, on Route 17 north as a congested scene and told of the frustration of trying to get into one of the parking spaces before they heard a crash.

One customer, P.J. Montevirgen, 29, of Hackensack said he had to circle up and down the highway to try and get a spot, and saw an Acura SUV trying to get a spot and a police officer telling the driver the lot was full. The Acura driver suddenly floored his vehicle in front of the officer, jerked to the left, and disappeared behind some car. Moments later, Montevirgen said, he heard a crash.

“It’s a real popular spot. … I’ve been hearing about it [the drive-in],” said a 50-year-old Ramsey resident who declined to give her name. She said she had circled on the highway five times before she pulled into the drive-in. “People jockey to get position in the right lane to get in.”

As she pulled in, she spotted two police officers directing traffic and blurted to herself about the position of one of them, “That cop is going to get killed.” Five minutes later, she said, she saw all the commotion.

“It’s just a really dangerous set-up,” the Ramsey woman said.

E-mail: bautista@northjersey.com

madness410 · 07-15-2009, 12:56 AM

:

: stupid drivers. i really hope the officer is ok

ib4200 · 07-15-2009, 01:02 AM

yeah thats terrible to hear about

NJ Torque · 07-15-2009, 01:03 AM

stupid..

sweetbmxrider · 07-15-2009, 07:26 AM

so you wanted sonics and now you hit a cop.....

EchoMirage · 07-15-2009, 07:37 AM

ive driven past that place several times. i dont know why its so crowded, and the lot is extremely small for something that is always packed. added to the construction, its a really bad area. dont know why people are so insane about a hamburger joint.

BonzoHansen · 07-15-2009, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EchoMirage

ive driven past that place several times. i dont know why its so crowded, and the lot is extremely small for something that is always packed. added to the construction, its a really bad area. dont know why people are so insane about a hamburger joint.

ooohh, yeah, fast food!

I saw this on the new this morning,. They had someone in cuffs.

BigAls87Z28 · 07-15-2009, 07:59 AM

Wow...thats friggin lame. It was just as crazy when they opend the one in Waretown.
I really really dont understand the need for people to eat there. Its really not that great.

WildBillyT · 07-15-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

Wow...thats friggin lame. It was just as crazy when they opend the one in Waretown.
I really really dont understand the need for people to eat there. Its really not that great.

Probably all of the marketing buildup before the Sonics got built.

LTb1ow · 07-15-2009, 09:09 AM

Prayars for that cop and his family....

Wow.

I hope someone gets more than a slap on the wrist for that awesome display of stupidity.

mtg6486 · 07-15-2009, 09:36 AM

i was going to white castles on the other side of 17 and saw that traffic. they shut down 17 on both sides of that stretch.

procamaroz28 · 07-15-2009, 10:21 AM

wow that really sucks...

baddest434 · 07-15-2009, 05:54 PM

$100,000.00 bail for the scumbag that hit him.

Kojak · 07-15-2009, 07:24 PM

I work in Lyndhurst and have to avoid that area of 17 because of the jack ass slobs that fight to get into that place.
*For the record not everyone who goes there are jack ass slobs just the ones who drive like jack ass slobs...

I heard the radio comm. for the incident on my scanner when it happen yesterday and you can tell by the way they were talking that it was serious. I think I read that someone pulled an illegal u-turn, hit another vehicle which then pinned the cop.

jims69camaro · 07-15-2009, 08:45 PM

this is beyond stupid. when people's lives are at stake because someone wants a freaking parking space... i mean, COME ON. i wonder how many of those are "paying" patrons and how many are cruisers...

Knipps · 07-16-2009, 01:29 AM

I heard the guy who hit him was on a suspended license to begin with so he's really screwed.

Stupercharged · 07-16-2009, 01:33 AM

Prayers go out to the cop

now I'm in the mood for some sonic

maroman88 · 07-16-2009, 05:05 AM

Unlicensed motorist charged with assaulting cop
Thursday, July 16, 2009
BY NICK CLUNN
Herald News
STAFF WRITER
HASBROUCK HEIGHTS – A 23-year-old unlicensed driver, who became unruly after being turned away from a Sonic Drive-In and dragged a police officer into traffic, has been charged with aggravated assault, authorities said Wednesday.

Daniel Yi took off just as Officer Corey Lange reached inside the vehicle for his driver's license, said Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli. A sedan collided with Yi's SUV moments later, pinning Lange between the two vehicles.

Lange broke his leg and ankle in the ordeal Tuesday night. Yi, of Hackensack, remained in the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail Wednesday night.

The incident has prompted a crackdown on drivers who queue along Route 17 for a spot at the popular burger joint. Police will now fine drivers $100 for stopping on the three-lane highway.

"If you stay in the queue lane, you will be ticketed," Molinelli said Wednesday. "People are waiting along Route 17, which is not good."

Borough officials have also begun looking at better ways to deal with the congestion, which has been handled by off-duty officers hired by Sonic since its long-awaited opening last month.

In a statement, Sonic officials said the company and its franchisee will continue to work closely with municipal authorities to control traffic around the drive-in. They also said that traffic volume typically levels off once a drive-in "becomes a more established part of community life."

The uniformed officers hired by Sonic tell drivers that they cannot wait on the highway. Most drivers listen and return moments later for a chance at securing an open parking space, Molinelli said.

One patron on Tuesday night said she circled the highway five times before being allowed to enter the Hasbrouck Heights lot, which was the first Sonic to open in North Jersey. Others said they were similarly frustrated.

While Sonic locations have drive-through lanes, most customers prefer the drive-in option – 20 parking stalls where they can place orders and be served by roller-skating teenage carhops.

The chain began targeting New Jersey as a growth area several years ago but has had trouble finding locations in North Jersey with enough space for at least 20 dining stalls. A new one recently opened on Route 46 east in Totowa.

Yi arrived at Sonic about 10 p.m. and protested when Lange told him that he could not queue in the right lane. He refused to move along and attempted a second time to enter the lot, Molinelli said.

"I understand there were some expletives uttered," he said.

When Yi hit the gas pedal, Lange grabbed hold. The SUV then swerved across the highway, slammed into the sedan and pinned Lange before hitting a cement median, Molinelli said.

Police arrested Yi outside Sonic. Neither he nor the other driver was hurt.

Staff Writer Kibret Markos contributed to this article.

BonzoHansen · 07-16-2009, 08:06 AM

I hope they hang that prick

jims69camaro · 07-16-2009, 12:12 PM

whattadouche.

Kojak · 07-16-2009, 06:38 PM

All for a cheeseburger. I hope he gets raped in prison.

sweetbmxrider · 07-16-2009, 07:41 PM

wow, nice call bill. hope you bought a megamillions.

****ing douche. got some balls on him to pull all the **** and be on a suspended license. he definitely shouldn't get it back!

BigAls87Z28 · 07-17-2009, 01:18 AM

Interesting fact....kid i played football with was named John Molinelli.
If there really is a White Castle across the way, I dont know WTF anyone was thinking of getting Sonics.

Knipps · 07-17-2009, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

Interesting fact....kid i played football with was named John Molinelli.
If there really is a White Castle across the way, I dont know WTF anyone was thinking of getting Sonics.

Al it's all about novelty. WC has been there a while and when people hear about Sonic they think "Finally, there's one in the area" or "I've never had sonic before"