Driver arrested for DWI after sideswiping police car parked behind car on fire

Vineland, N.J.

Exactly how much attention must a driver pay to the road on New Year's Eve not to crash into a marked police car with its row of roof lights flashing, stopped behind a car in flames?

A state trooper investigating a car fire on Route 55 Monday night became a victim himself when his parked troop car was sideswiped by a driver who was allegedly intoxicated.

The accident happened at 10:37 p.m. Trooper Jeffrey Mazzoni had parked his 2006 Crown Victoria troop car behind the car which was on fire.

Harry M. Bauer, 27, driving a 1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass, sideswiped the troop car.

The accident was investigated by Sgt. Edward Murphy, who charged Bauer with driving while intoxicated.