A Linden police officer who admitted leaving the scene of an off-duty accident is now being sued by the other driver for injuries he sustained in the crash.
In the lawsuit, Lawrence Small, of Linden, claims suffered permanent injuries and significant physical limitation after his vehicle was struck by Linden Police Officer James Schulhafer.
According to reports, on Oct. 5, 2015, Officer James E. Schulhafer, was backing out of a parking lot on the 800 block of West Elizabeth Avenue around 6:45 p.m., when he struck a parked 2009 Toyota Sienna occupied by a 65-year-old Lawrence Small, Linden Capt. James Sarnicki said.
The off-duty officer - who was driving a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe - left the scene of the crash but was ultimately identified and charged with leaving the scene of an accident, careless driving, and failure to report an accident.
According to authorities, in June Schulhafer pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and was fined $406 and had his license suspended for six months. The failure to report an accident and careless driving were dropped.
Schulhafer is the son of former Police Chief James Schulhafer.