Madison Woman Sideswipes Patrol Car: Police

An officer from the Chatham Township Police Department was treated for back pain after a Madison woman apparently sideswiped the patrol car late Saturday night while attempting to pass from behind, police said Monday.

Shortly before midnight, Officer Michael Giannone stopped a car on Fairmount Avenue in Chatham Twp. for a motor vehicle violation, police said.

While he was stopped on the side of the road, Pamela Becker, 41, of Madison, attempted to pass the patrol car, according to police.

Becker misjudged the distance and sideswiped the patrol car, causing substantial damage to both vehicles, police said.

Becker was transported to the hospital with a complaint of head pain, and Giannone was treated at the hospital for back pain and released, according to police.

Becker was issued a summons for careless driving, police said.