A 67‑year‑old Pennsylvania man, identified as Robert Felegi of Middleport, was arrested after allegedly driving the wrong way on I‑80 in Warren County and colliding head‑on with a New Jersey State Police trooper’s SUV shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 16. The trooper had positioned his patrol vehicle to slow traffic and warn motorists; both drivers suffered minor injuries and the trooper was taken to a local hospital. Felegi faces charges of driving under the influence and assault by auto. Police say the trooper’s quick actions likely prevented additional injuries.
Wrong-Way Driver Crashes Head-On Into New Jersey State Trooper on I‑80; Suspect Charged With DUI
New Jersey State Police FacebookNew Jersey State Police vehicle
A Pennsylvania man has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence after allegedly traveling the wrong way on Interstate 80 and colliding head-on with a New Jersey State Police trooper’s patrol SUV early on Dec. 16.
Incident Details
Shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, dispatchers in Warren County received a report of a vehicle traveling eastbound the wrong way on I‑80. According to New Jersey State Police, a trooper took immediate action to warn and protect other motorists by positioning his patrol vehicle ahead of oncoming traffic and creating a controlled slowdown.
“Recognizing the immediate and life‑threatening danger, a New Jersey State Trooper took decisive action—driving ahead of oncoming eastbound traffic and initiating a traffic slowdown to prevent motorists from colliding with the wrong‑way driver,” the department wrote in a social media post.
While vehicles were slowed safely behind the trooper, the wrong‑way driver struck the trooper’s SUV head‑on. Police posted a photo of the heavily damaged patrol vehicle showing severe front‑end damage and the front‑left tire turned inward.
New Jersey State Police/FacebookNew Jersey State Police vehicle
Aftermath and Charges
Both the trooper and the other driver sustained minor injuries. The trooper was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment and later released, police said. Authorities identified the driver as 67‑year‑old Robert Felegi of Middleport, Pennsylvania. Felegi was arrested at the scene and charged with one count of driving under the influence and one count of assault by auto, according to local outlets including Lehigh Valley Live, The Patch and WFMZ.
The agency noted the trooper had his emergency lights and sirens activated as part of the effort to alert other drivers before the collision. New Jersey State Police praised the trooper’s actions as swift and selfless, saying those measures likely prevented additional injuries or fatalities.
“Still, the trooper’s swift, selfless, and heroic actions prevented any other motorists from being injured or possibly killed,” the department added.
The department urged drivers to remember how quickly a single poor decision—such as driving impaired or the wrong way on a busy roadway—can produce devastating consequences.
