Off-duty Morristown, NJ cop faces DUI charge in crash

🚨Laura V. Starnes joined the Morristown Police Department in December

🚨She was in a single-car crash on May 6

🚨 Officials say she showed signs of intoxication at the crash

MORRISTOWN — An off-duty police officer involved in a crash on May 6 was issued a summons for operating under the influence of alcohol.

Morris County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Megan Knab said Officer Laura V. Starnes, 22, of Glen Gardner, was driving on Morris Street around 11 p.m. when she crashed her vehicle. Her vehicle was the only one involved, according to Knab. Starnes was taken to Morristown Medical Center. Starnes was also issued a summons for careless driving, according to Knab.

Prosecution of the alleged motor vehicle violations has been transferred to Madison Municipal Court.

In a written statement, Morristown Mayor Timothy Dougherty said Starnes suffered minor injuries in the crash and exhibited signs of intoxication. Results of a toxicology test on her blood is pending.

"This is a serious and deeply troubling incident. I want to assure the public that the Town of Morristown is fully cooperating," Dougherty wrote. "We understand that incidents like this can impact public trust and we take that responsibility seriously."

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The mayor said that the issue is being handled in a "fair and transparent fashion."

Starnes is the daughter of a retired Morris Township police officer, Bruce Starnes. She was sworn into the department in December and was in the patrol division. She graduated from Voorhees High School in Lebanon Township in 2021 and has a business degree from Raritan Valley Community College.

Prosecution of the motor vehicle violations has been transferred to the Madison Municipal Court.

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