Officer Struck During Traffic Stop

A Washington Township, Gloucester County police officer has been hospitalized after getting hit by a minivan.

The officer was in the middle of a traffic stop on the Black Horse Pike when he was hit by another vehicle.

It is proof positive that no traffic stop is ever routine. Officer Joseph Vena, who has been with the Washington Township Police Department since 1999, pulled over a black SUV on northbound Route 42 on Wednesday. While he was at the side of that vehicle, a minivan veered onto the shoulder of the road.

Dep. Chf. James Murphy/WASH. TWP. POLICE: "It struck Officer Vena's car both in the driver's door mirror and the front left quarter panel and proceeded to strike the officer, which propelled him into the side of the vehicle which he had originally stopped."

Officer Vena was rushed to Cooper Medical Center. He was in and out of consciousness at the scene, but regained and maintained consciousness en route to the hospital. Police say his injuries, which amount to a concussion, could have been worse had it not been for a bulletproof vest that cushioned the blow of the impact.

The driver of the minivan, 32-year-old Thomas Kirshbaum of Voorhees, did stop near the scene and spoke to investigators. At this point there are no charges, but the investigation is continuing.

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Author: 6 ABC-AP