---

North Plainfield Police Department

Press Release

Chief William Parenti

December 9 , 2014

North Plainfield Police Chief William Parenti announced that the department is investigating a motor vehicle accident involving a police vehicle and a passenger car on Tuesday, December 9, 2014. Chief Parenti indicated the department received a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a police car at the intersection of Watchung Avenue and Fairview Avenue at 9:59 am.  Responding units found that a collision had occurred between a marked North Plainfield Police patrol unit and a passenger car. 

Preliminary investigation determined the patrol unit was north bound on Watchung Avenue and the passenger car was west bound on Fairview Avenue.    The intersection is controlled by stop signs posted on the east bound and west bound lanes of Fairview Avenue at the intersection with Watchung Avenue.

The patrol unit was operated by Officer Christopher Brid, 31 years of age.  The other vehicle, a 4 door, 2000, Mazda was operated by Horacio Gonzalez, 47 years of age, of North Plainfield. Mr. Gonzalez was issued one motor vehicle summons for disregarding a stop sign.  Officer Brid was transported to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital , New Brunswick by North Plainfield Fire Department EMS;  Mr. Gonzalez did not require treatment.

The accident is still under investigation and Chief Parenti urges anyone with information to contact the North Plainfield Police Department Traffic Safety Unit at (908)769-2937. Also assisting at the scene were Paramedics from John F. Kennedy Hospital; the Plainfield Police Division; and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department.