For Immediate Release: October 11, 2022

On October 9, 2022, an Atlantic City Police officer was struck by the driver of a pickup truck as the officer conducted traffic at a crash scene.

At 10:46 PM, Atlantic City Police Department patrol officers and the Atlantic City Fire Department were dispatched to the outbound lanes of route 30 regarding a vehicle that ran off the roadway and into the marsh. The occupants of the vehicle were able to exit their car unharmed. Officer Joseph Kelly Jr. was assisting with traffic control and setting up road flares when he was suddenly and unexpectedly struck by a 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by 46-year-old Peter Kwiatkowski of Manahawkin, NJ. The force of the collision caused Officer Kelly Jr. to be thrown to the side of the roadway. Kwiatkowski remained at the scene of the crash. Officer Kelly sustained injuries as a result of the collision and was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division, for treatment of his injuries.

The ensuing investigation revealed Kwiatkowski failed to yield to the numerous emergency vehicles that were at the scene of the crash, thereby striking Officer Kelly Jr. Officers on scene determined Kwiatkowski had multiple outstanding warrant for his arrest out of Ocean County, NJ, and was taken into custody without incident. Kwiatkowski was also issued several motor vehicle summonses including Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicles and Reckless Driving.

Kwiatkowski was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

The public is reminded that the law requires you to move over and slow down when encountering stopped emergency vehicles. Please protect those who protect you.    

Anyone who may have witnessed this motor vehicle crash is urged to contact Crash Investigator Officer Franco Sydnor of the Atlantic City Police Department Crash Investigations unit at 609-347-5744 or text anonymously to tip411 (847411). Begin the text with ACPD.  All texts are anonymous. 

Alert sent on 10/11/2022 at 7:42PM EDT

To submit a tip via text message text ACPD and your tip to 847411

Alert delivered to the following groups: Atlantic City PD, Business Alerts, Press Releases, Westside Civic Association, Westside Homeowners Protective Association, Tanger Outlet, Chelsea Neighborhood Civic Association, Venice Park Civic Association, Marina District, Stanley Homes Village, First Ward Civic Association, Carver Hall, Chelsea Heights, Bungalow Park Civic Association, The Cove Condo Association, CRDA, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Security Directors , City Adminstration, Communications, and Atlantic City Boardwalk Committee

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