Alleged Drunk Driver Collided with Cop Car, Left Scene

AVALON MANOR – A Court House man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated along with additional offenses after he allegedly left the scene of an accident where he struck a Middle Township police vehicle.
According to Capt. John Edwards, Thomas Salvesen, 22, was driving westbound on Avalon Boulevard at 1 a.m. Nov. 22.
The police vehicle, operated by Ptlm. Shawn Karge, was parked on the westbound side of Avalon Boulevard as part of traffic enforcement, said Edwards.
Karge observed the suspect’s vehicle behind him swerving on the road prior to the collision.
“He hit the patrol car on the driver’s side rear,” said the captain.
Edwards said the suspect’s vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed.
After colliding with the police vehicle the suspect did not stop and continued to drive, making a left turn onto the southbound Garden State Parkway ramp.
“The patrol car was disabled,” said Edwards, “so the officer was unable to give chase.”
Edwards said Karge did a “very good job.” He added the patrolman stayed calm and used his portable radio to alert other police cars.
Salvesen was arrested without incident on the Parkway by Middle Township police.
Karge was taken to the hospital for evaluation and treatment of minor injuries. Edwards said the officer returned to work the following day.
“We got very, very lucky with this one,” said Edwards, noting the outcome of the accident might have been far worse if the police vehicle had been fully struck.
Salvesen was charged with fourth-degree assault by automobile, DWI and failure to maintain lane. He was taken to the police station, processed and released to another person, said Edwards.
The accident, which happened in the wee hours of Thanksgiving morning, occurred on the biggest drinking night of the year.
The captain said the night before Thanksgiving “eclipses everything” when it comes to drinking. “It’s known to be one of the busiest and heaviest drinking nights of the year,” said Edwards.
Throughout the nation, hit and run accidents with police vehicles are not uncommon, Edwards added. “What comes out of it is that the officer says, ‘Thank God it was me and not another citizen.’ That goes to show where the officer’s mind is set – that public safety is first and foremost on everyone’s mind.”