GLOUCESTER TWP. — An off-duty police officer critically injured a teenager in a hit-and-run accident here last month, authorities say.
Christopher Bucceroni, 28, was driving his personal vehicle when he struck an 18-year-old bicyclist on Erial Road around 2:25 a.m. on June 20, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office.
Bucceroni, a nine-year veteran of Gloucester Township's force, turned himself in around 3:45 p.m. on June 21, the prosecutor's office said in a statement Monday.
It said the West Deptford resident has been charged with a third-degree offense, knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in serious bodily injury.
Mount Holly woman killed::Homicide charge for driver who struck college student's vehicle
The bicyclist, identified only as a township resident, remains hospitalized in critical condition.
An investigation is ongoing, the prosecutor's office said.
Bucceroni has been suspended without pay, with the intent to dismiss, Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins said in a statement.
"I can assure the community that we are disappointed, and that this type of conduct is not tolerated by me, or anyone else here," the chief said.
He asked the public not to judge members of the police department "by the off-duty actions of this one officer."
Bucceroni never stopped at the accident scene, where the bicyclist was found in the roadway near Blackwood-Clementon Road, the July 3 statement said.
Harkins said township officers "were working diligently throughout the next day, attempting to identify the suspect vehicle and driver."
The investigation was turned over to the prosecutor's office after Bucceroni surrendered his 2020 Toyota Rav 4.
Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call Prosecutor’s Detectives Samuel Funches at 856-397-4000 and Stephen Marakowski at 856-225-2788.
Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.
Local Gloucester County, NJ
Most Popular
Comments / 0