Man Charged in Crash Near Sonic

MYFOXNY.COM - Authorities in New Jersey have charged a man from Wayne in connection with the accident that left a local cop hospitalized.

Officer Cory Lange was hit by a car while directing traffic outside the Route 17 Sonic America's Drive-In restaurant in Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., on Tuesday night.

According to the Bergen County Prosecutor's office, a car driven by Daniel Yi, 23, struck and then dragged the 11-year veteran out onto 17 North.

"The vehicle came across the northbound lanes, hit the middle divider at a time when another car struck Mr. Yi's vehicle, pinning the police officer in the middle of the two cars," said Prosecutor John Molinelli.

Officer Lange underwent surgery on his ankle injury and remained hospitalized Wednesday.

The prosecutor said that Yi was frustrated after being turned away from the popular burger joint. The parking lot was full, and cars cannot block a lane of traffic on the state highway.

Yi is charged with aggravated assault eluding police and driving without a license.

Sonic released a statement about the accident: "It is our understanding from police that the officer's injuries were not related to traffic levels or congestion at the drive-in, but were instead the result of actions taken by one of the motorists involved."

However, officials said the traffic from the drive-in's customers was part of the equation.

"I know that if there had not been any traffic backup at Sonic last night I do not believe the officer would have been hurt here," Molinelli said.