Police Chief: Malverne cop injured in car crash

A Malverne Police officer was injured on June 1 in a car accident on Ocean Avenue while responding to an incident on Hempstead Avenue.

According to Malverne Police Chief John Aresta, officer Jo Anne McNelis was traveling north on Ocean Avenue around 5:00 p.m. when she was alerted to respond to an incident on Hempstead Avenue.

Aresta said that McNelis put on her sirens as she prepared to make a left turn onto Wright Avenue. Traffic came to a halt, he said, except for a Dodge Caravan, which was heading in the right-hand south lane.

The driver, according to Aresta, is from East Rockaway, and explained to police afterward that he was unaware of the police car making the turn.

"He didn't stop," Aresta said. "The right front corner panel of her car was hit."

Malverne Ambulance Corps and the Malverne Fire Department responded to the accident and transported McNelis to South Nassau Communities Hospital, where she was treated for bruises, some contusions and back pain.

"She was released the same day that evening," Aresta said. "She's doing OK."

Aresta said that the driver of the Dodge Caravan, who was not named, refused medical treatment at the scene. No charges were filed, he added.