West Long Branch Police Officer was Seriously Injured While Directing Traffic

FREEHOLD – A Monmouth County grand jury has returned a one-count indictment charging an Oceanport driver who struck a West Long Branch police officer as he was directing traffic following a high school football game, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Michael C. Reyes, 22, of Center Street in Oceanport, is charged in the indictment with second degree Assault by Auto in a School Zone. If convicted, Reyes faces a sentence of five to ten years in a New Jersey state prison, and would be placed under parole for three years following his release from prison. Reyes also faces several motor vehicle violations as a result of the incident including Driving While Under the Influence of Narcotics, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Comply with the Direction of an Officer. Reyes has been free after posting $25,000 bail, as set by Judge Joseph W. Oxley.

West Long Branch Police Sgt. Brian Kramer was directing traffic on Parker Road in the borough, on Nov. 6, 2015, following the conclusion of a football game at Shore Regional High School.  Sgt. Kramer was struck by a 2010 Hyundai Elantra being operated by Reyes and travelling eastbound on Parker Road. Sgt. Kramer sustained extensive injuries to his head, face, left shoulder and left knee as a result of the collision and was taken to the Trauma Center at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune Township. He remained hospitalized there for several days before he was transferred to a rehabilitation facility. Sgt. Kramer has since been released from the rehabilitation facility, but continues to undergo extensive rehabilitative therapy and remains on medical leave from the West Long Branch Police Department.

A joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team (SCART), and the West Long Branch Police Department determined Reyes was operating the vehicle under the influence of narcotics at the time of the incident.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Michael V. Luciano.

Reyes is represented by Michael S. Polloway, Esq., of Red Bank.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

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