An 18-year-old North Bergen man who was allegedly driving drunk and speeding down a Saddle River highway Saturday evening before causing a chain reaction crash that seriously injured an Allendale police officer was released from jail with conditions on Friday afternoon.
Joseph Ford, who has been living in the Hudson County township with his parents after a recent move from New York City, was released to home detention during a virtual hearing Friday before Bergen County Judge Kevin Purvin. Ford, who has been held in the Hudson County jail, can only leave his house to attend court hearings, mandated court check-ins and to meet with his attorney.
A citizen of the United Kingdom, Ford was driving a Range Rover — prosecutors said it was registered to a family friend in Massachusetts — south on Route 17 at about 10:30 p.m. when he lost control, entered the shoulder and rear-ended Allendale Police Officer Mark Dunn Jr.'s vehicle. Dunn was assisting Saddle River Police Officer John Latka with a motor vehicle stop.
Assistant Prosecutor Christine Howland had urged the judge to keep Ford in jail, stating that the gravity of the crime and the facts and circumstances before and after the crash warranted detention. Howland said body-worn and dash camera footage and accounts from witnesses showed Ford and three friends inside the SUV had attempted to flee in the aftermath of the crash; Ford's defense attorney, Adam Lustberg, argued the four men were disoriented and in shock.
"This car is barreling down Route 17 ... going at such a high rate of speed that when it hits the police vehicle pulled over to the side of the road, it looks like a bomb went off to that police vehicle," Howland said Friday. "The impact of the crash to (Dunn and Ford's) vehicles is overwhelming."
Ford had a blood alcohol concentration of "well over 0.1%," Howland said, and was charged with third-degree assault by auto; five related fourth-degree charges for causing bodily injury; leaving the scene of an accident; drunk driving and other motor vehicle offenses.
As part of his release, Ford was also mandated to surrender his passport and driver's license and will be randomly tested for drugs and alcohol.
Allendale police officer seriously injured
Dunn, 24, has undergone extensive surgery to repair his pelvis and had hand surgery set for Friday morning, according to his mother, Melissa Dunn, who has provided public updates on her son's recovery since the crash. He is also expected to undergo surgery to his knee and femur, she said. Prosecutors confirmed Dunn's multiple surgeries during Friday's hearing, noting the young officer had been "slammed" into the guardrail during the crash.
Allendale Police Chief Michael Dillon has also provided updates on Facebook , encouraging the community to share words of encouragement using the hashtag #DunnStrong on social media. He also noted that the family will likely need further support once Dunn is released from the hospital, but said letters, cards or items of encouragement can be dropped off at police headquarters.
Latka was treated and released from the hospital with minor injuries. He was cleared to return to full duty and is back working patrol, the Saddle River Police Department said in a Facebook post .
Please keep Saddle River Police Officer John Latka and Allendale Police Officer Mark Dunn, Jr. in your thoughts and...
Posted by NJ State PBA on Sunday, October 6, 2024
Was Ford trying to flee in aftermath of Saddle River crash?
Attorneys did not dispute the severity of the crash, each indicating it was a "miracle" everyone survived, but disagreed as to what transpired during and after it and whether Ford would obstruct justice should he be released.
Ford, who suffered a broken leg, got himself out of the SUV after the crash and managed to walk a couple of hundred yards down the highway, but did not go far due to his injuries, Howland alleged. Lustberg, however, contended that the person who prosecutors say was Ford in the video was actually another occupant who "didn't even know what he was doing."
"He was walking in circles. These kids, for several minutes, are completely disoriented," Lustberg said. "They are clearly in shock."
Ford and the other occupants "deliberately" attempted to conceal their identities and gave police a hard time when they were asked to provide their names, where they lived and their phone numbers, Howland said. Lustberg emphasized the severity of the crash, noting that "expecting them to be clear-headed and answer questions is absurd."
Ford, who was working at his father's business and has no prior criminal history, provided a driver's license to police showing a New York City address, although his father told police they lived in Paterson. On Friday, Ford gave a North Bergen address, with his attorney saying the family was leasing a home in the area.
The judge noted evidence in the case was strong, but believed Ford could be monitored appropriately while under house arrest. He addressed Ford's alleged reckless behavior and the "unrecognizable" patrol vehicle, stating, "Only by the grace of God, luckily everyone is still alive."
Ford is expected back in court in November.
Email: lcomstock@njherald.com ; Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH or on Facebook .
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Driver, 18, charged in crash that seriously injured Allendale officer released from jail
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