Officer Lee Evans continues regular duties and may face departmental penalties, depending on the outcome of the trial.
By: Shanay Cadette
WEST WINDSOR A township police officer faces a drunken-driving charge stemming from a November car crash in Ocean County.
Chief Joseph Pica said Patrolman Lee Evans, 35, was driving to his Ocean County home when he was involved in the two-car crash Nov. 21.
Both Patrolman Evans, an 11-year veteran, and the other driver suffered minor injuries and both of their vehicles were substantially damaged.
The chief said the officer is just now being charged with driving while under the influence because it took several months for the Lavallette Borough Police Department to receive blood test results.
For now, Patrolman Evans will continue his regular duties. He won’t face possible departmental penalties until his court case is decided, Chief Pica said.
The chief said the highly decorated patrolman is a good officer who made a bad decision.
"He’s an excellent police officer. He’s got an impeccable police record," Chief Pica said. "I think he exercised some extremely poor judgment that night by getting in his car. He realizes that."
Chief Pica noted Patrolman Evans was honored in 2000 by the National Association of Police Organizations for his part in the successful rescue of a Pemberton Township man in December 1999. The man’s vehicle veered off Quakerbridge Road near Province Line Road and plunged into the Delaware & Raritan Canal.
Off-duty at the time, he dived into the frigid water to bring the man to shore after four other men used rocks to break a vehicle window.

