A 32-year-old officer operating radar on a New Jersey street was killed early Thursday when a tractor-trailer ran off the road and rear-ended his unmarked police cruiser, officials say.
Waldwick police officer Christopher Goodell was sitting in an unmarked Chevrolet on the shoulder of Route 17 at Bergen Avenue at about 1:20 a.m. when his car was hit by the truck, which was headed south on Route 17 and had run off the road, Bergen County prosecutors say.
The impact sent the vehicles careening through a retaining wall and near a house. Goodell's car sustained heavy damage, and the tractor-trailer had some damage as well. Investigators are checking to see if the house was impacted.
Prosecutors say the truck driver called 911 after the crash.
Goodell, a five-year veteran with the force, was pronounced dead at the scene. The truck's driver was not injured in the crash, and is being questioned by investigators.
It's not clear what caused the truck to run off the road, prosecutors say.
Waldwick Police Chief Mark Messner said that Goodell was a Waldwick High School graduate who had served in the Marines for eight years and had recently gotten engaged.
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Messner said Goodell was a dedicated member of the force who worked at the intersection often to make sure drivers went at safe speeds.
"He was an outstanding and proactive officer who loved his family, his fiancee, his job and his comrades, and he will be sorely missed," the chief said, choking back tears.
--Tracie Strahan contributed to this report
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