Prosecutors: Monroe Twp. officer struck by intoxicated driver

A police officer in Gloucester County was injured when an allegedly intoxicated SUV driver struck him while he was conducting a traffic stop over the weekend.

The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office said 33-year-old Jesse Petryk, of Monroe Township, hit Anthony Vezza's patrol car and then the officer with his Hyundai Santa Fe shortly after 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

Vezza, a patrolman for the Monroe Township police, had stopped a Ford Fusion on westbound Black Horse Pike near Corkery Lane.

Vezza was hospitalized for treatment of a broken leg and knee injury, and was in stable condition late Sunday, prosecutors said.

The two people inside the Fusion were hospitalized for injuries they suffered when the patrol car was pushed into their vehicle.

Petryk is facing charges of driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, and assault by auto, prosecutors said.