By: Courtney Gross
An accident involving an ambulance on its way to the University Medical Center at Princeton and a van left three men injured and shut down Witherspoon Street for several blocks on Monday morning.
Following the accident, the van’s driver, Erik Tarnopoll, 41, of Morrisville, Pa., was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, police said.
According to the police report, Mr. Tarnopoll was traveling south on Witherspoon Street at 9:34 a.m. when he swerved and struck a Monmouth Junction First Aid Squad ambulance that was en route to the medical center near the intersection of Witherspoon Street and Shirley Court.
Mr. Tarnopoll was trapped in his van and was extricated by members of the Princeton Fire Department. He was then transported to the Capital Health System Fuld Campus with injuries to his lower extremities. As of Monday afternoon, hospital officials could only confirm Mr. Tarnopoll’s admittance, and would not comment on his condition.
The ambulance’s driver, Daniel Lawson, 36, and his partner, Travis Hendon, 23, were taken to the nearby medical center for observation.
The occupant of the ambulance was also transported to the medical center by a passing Monroe Township ambulance.
When Princeton Borough police interviewed Mr. Tarnopoll at Helene Fuld, they subsequently charged him with operating a vehicle while under the influence.

