Police: 2 Officers Injured in Stolen Vehicle Chase
A drunk man is accused injuring two officers during a wild high-speed chase, through two states, in a stolen vehicle.
On Monday around 8:15 a.m., police from East Rutherford New Jersey began chasing a stolen flatbed tow truck. New York State Police joined in, once the chase entered the New York State Thruway at Exit 15A.
The driver of the alleged stolen vehicle, 50-year-old Paul T. Gudanowski of Woodridge, NJ, continued north into Orange County. He then is accused of making an illegal U-turn past exit 15 and intentionally hitting two state trooper’s cars, disabling both vehicles.
Gudanowski continued south and left the Thruway at exit 15A. Hen then traveled onto Route 17, where he struck a East Rutherford police vehicle.
Gudanowski was finally taken into custody on Route 59 in the Village of Hillburn. He was subsequently charged with criminal possession of a stolen vehicle, criminal mischief, assault, unlawful fleeing, driving while intoxicated, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and numerous vehicle and traffic violations.
Gudanowski was arraigned before the Town of Monroe Court and was remanded to the Orange County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $150,000 bond. He is scheduled to reappear in court on Jan. 6.
Both troopers sustained minor injuries and were treated and released from St. Luke's Hospital.
The East Rutherford officer was not injured.