Paterson cop suspended after alleged drunken-driving crash that injured one in Clifton
PATERSON — City officials have suspended a police officer who was charged with driving while intoxicated and assault by auto after an alleged three-vehicle crash in Clifton last month.
The cop, 27-year-old Noel Ramos of Garfield, will be on unpaid suspension for 30 days, officials said Monday. After that, Ramos will either be placed on paid administrative leave or be assigned administrative duties, as required under Paterson’s police union contracts, officials added.
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announced Ramos’ arrest last Thursday. Valdez said Ramos was involved in a motor vehicle accident while he was off-duty, at around 12:28 a.m. on Feb. 13. The officer was allegedly driving his 2019 Dodge Challenger in the area of 432 Lexington Ave. in Clifton.
Police responding to the scene found Ramos’ sports car in the middle of the roadway after it hit another vehicle and caused that vehicle to crash into a parked car, the prosecutor said. An occupant in the second vehicle was injured and was treated at St. Mary’s General Hospital in Passaic and released, authorities said.
The prosecutor said Ramos was driving his car “recklessly” with a blood-alcohol content above the legal limit at the time of the crash. Authorities did not disclose exactly what his blood-alcohol level allegedly was.
Charges were filed against Ramos last Thursday, Valdes said.
Ramos has been a member of the Paterson Police Department since 2018. His current salary is $46,779, city payroll records show.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ cop suspended after alleged DWI crash in Clifton
