A police officer in Bergen County was arrested while off-duty earlier this month and charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident, court records show.
Attilio Dente, 39, a patrol officer, was arrested by Bergen County Sheriff’s Officers about 10:45 p.m. Sept. 2 outside his home on Catherine Avenue, according to municipal court documents.
Dente told police he fell asleep on his way home from a friend’s house after a day of drinking on Lake Hopatcong, according to NorthJersey.com, which first reported the arrest after viewing police body camera videos.
The officer allegedly crashed into a utility pole on Market Street before driving off toward his home near Route 80, according to the report. In an interview with NorthJersey.com, Dente denied fleeing the scene.
Dente, who can be seen in videos wearing an American flag bathing suit and sandals, allegedly told an investigating sheriff’s officer that he closed his eyes for a moment and then woke up after apparently hitting the pole, according to the report.
Court records show Dente was driving a black, 2013 Chevy pickup at the time of the crash. He was not hurt, records state.
An officer with the Saddle Brook Police Department since 2017, Dente is suspended with pay pending the results of his court case and an internal affairs investigation.
An attorney listed for Dente did not immediately respond Friday morning to a request for comment on the arrest.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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