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Dec 3, 2008 3:44 pm US/Eastern
NJ Sheriff's Deputies Injured By Fleeing Vehicle
NEWARK (AP) ―
Two Union County sheriff's deputies were injured -- one seriously -- when a Jeep fleeing police at a high rate of speed hit their unmarked vehicle in Elizabeth.
Chris Coon, a five-year veteran of the force, sustained a collapsed lung, broken leg bones and facial lacerations in Tuesday night's crash.
The 28-year-old Rahway resident, who was driving the vehicle, also underwent knee surgery at University Hospital in Newark, where he was listed in critical condition on Wednesday afternoon. He is the stepson of Union County Sheriff Ralph Froehlich.
The other deputy in the car, James Guerrant, was taken Trinitas Hospital in Elizabeth after the accident and was released Wednesday morning. The 26-year-old Garwood resident has been with the sheriff's department for five years.
Authorities said the crash occurred at about 10:45 p.m. on South Broad Street, near Routes 1 and 9. At the time, Newark and Hillside police were pursuing the Jeep, driven by Waleed Dozier, 31, of East Orange, in connection with an armed robbery that had occurred earlier that day in Newark.
When the crash occurred, authorities said the Jeep was traveling at more than 100 mph and the officers' vehicle was northbound on Routes 1 and 9. It was not clear, though, if they were involved in the pursuit.
Dozier was charged with eluding and two counts of causing serious injury while eluding. He was being held Wednesday on $500,000 bail.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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