Tuxedo police officer released from hospital

TUXEDO-A Tuxedo Police officer injured Sunday while he was investigating an accident at the Route 17/17A intersection ramp in Tuxedo has been released from the hospital. Tuxedo Police Officer Douglas Russell, who was investigating an accident at 6:10 p.m., had parked his vehicle on the shoulder of the roadway behind the car involved in the accident. The police car's emergency lights were flashing. According to Tuxedo Police Department Lt. David Gannon, Russell said the oncoming car caught his attention because of its speed; he also told them the car was being driven too far to the right side of the road so he ran in front of his police car. The oncoming car, a Honda driving by George Ollert, 35, of Rochelle Park, N.J., plowed into the back of the police car and pushed it forward. That, in turn, forced the police car into Russell. Russell, 35, was taken by helicopter to Westchester Medical Center. He has since been released. Gannon said one foot is too swollen to test whether it is broken. Ollert who was arrested by State Police on numerous charges, including third-degree assault and driving while ability impaired by drugs, both misdemeanors. While being tested at the barracks, police said he substituted tap water for his urine sample. He was then charged with tampering with evidence, a felony. He has since posted bond, pending an appearance in Tuxedo Town Court.