Authorities: Fleeing Driver Hits, Injures NJ Cop

Aggravated assault charges have been filed against a driver who allegedly struck and injured a southern New Jersey police officer who had found her asleep at the wheel.

Barnegat Patrolman Michael Behrens escaped serious injury in Sunday night's accident in the Ocean County community, but was treated at a hospital for a hand injury.

Officials say Behrens woke up 27-year-old Christine Favro of Cranbury and told her to exit her vehicle. But Favro refused and hit the officer as she drove the wrong way down the highway.

Favro's vehicle was soon stopped by other officers, who eventually had to remove her from the vehicle. Besides the aggravated assault count, she also faces obstruction and drunken driving charges.

A telephone number for Favro could not be found Monday night.

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