A driver crashed with a Pleasantville police vehicle responding to a call with his lights and siren on Monday afternoon, police said.
Patrolman John Marciante was responding to an emergency call heading south on Main Street just before 2 p.m., with his emergency lights and siren activated, Capt. Matt Hartman said.
Jean Capellan-Tapia, 22, of Atlantic City, was stopped at the sign on West Windsor Avenue when he tried to make a left to go north on Main Street when he was struck by the Marciante.
Capellan-Tapia’s car spun clockwise, coming to rest in the northbound lane, according to the report.
The patrol vehicle left the road, sideswiped a utility pole, and then came to rest on the lawn of a business.
Both driver’s along with Cappellan-Tapia’s female passenger were taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center’s Mainland Campus in Galloway Township for injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Both vehicles were heavily damaged and towed from the scene.
An investigation led by Traffic Safety Unit Sgt. Luz Gresham found that Cappellan-Tapia failed to yield the right of way to Marciante, Hartman said.
Dashcam video from Marciante's car released to BreakingAC on Wednesday shows the crash.
The route down Main Street is shown, as Marciante at times rides on the opposite side of the street to avoid traffic.
But it's when he's back on the right side of the road that the crash occurs. A car heading north is seen making a left in front of him on to West Windsor Avenue as Capellan-Tapia's car is seen stopped at the sign.
As the other car turns left onto Windsor, Capellan-Tapia's car then enters the road, and the crash occurs.
The investigation also found that Cappellan-Tapia's driver’s license was expired and suspended.
He will be issued summonses for those and failure to yield.
Pleasantville Fire/Rescue assisted at the scene due to airbag deployment and fluid spilling from the vehicles.
Editor's note: This story was originally published at 5:35 p.m. Sept. 9. It has been updated to add the video and more details about the crash.
