Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced that East Orange Police pursued a vehicle into Irvington last night after observing a 2004 Honda Accord being driven erratically.
At approximately 1050 P.M., officers observed the vehicle being driven erratically by a lone driver in the area of Cambridge Street.
The driver, Robert Hayward, 39 of Newark, refused to pull over after being signaled by the officer. He eluded officers and was apprehended on Lyons Avenue by Springfield Avenue in
Irvington.
The officer, a 7 year veteran of the East Orange Police Department, fired his weapon at the Lyons Avenue location one time striking the suspect in the face. The suspect was transported to University hospital and is being treated for a gunshot would to the face; the suspect is expected to survive.
The officer was also transported to the same hospital where he was treated for shock.
The investigation is being handled by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Bureau and the East Orange Internal Affairs. According to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly, investigators were waiting to interview the officer regarding this shooting, but were hindered because of the officer’s condition.
The investigation is continuing and there are no additional details at this time.
