The 26-year-old allegedly assaulted a Hunterdon County emergency medical services volunteer on Independence Day 2016.
A former fugitive from Warren County is back in legal trouble after allegedly assaulting an emergency medical services volunteer early on Independence Day.
Brittany Berger (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com) The Pattenburg Rescue Squad responded about 12:40 a.m. Monday to a home in Bloomsbury to assist 26-year-old Brittany Berger, who had been cut, according to New Jersey State Police.
As the volunteer attempted to provide treatment, Berger, of Greenwich Township, spit in the his face then kicked him, state police said Wednesday via social media.
The Pattenburg squad's chief, Mark Mason, said two volunteer emergency medical technicians, both males, were kicked during the incident. Both were treated and released at Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan Township and have returned to their shift duties with the agency.
"There was some bodily fluid exposure, as well," Mason said Wednesday. "Basically it's an occupational hazard. In terms of the work that they do, they can run into situations like this. But the name of the game is that nobody gets hurt."
The squad is a hybrid paid-volunteer agency, and members undergo training on blood-borne and other pathological hazards.
"Sometimes patients can be unpredictable in their behavior," Mason said, "and this was one of those cases."
Berger was placed under arrest and also taken to Hunterdon Medical Center for treatment, police said. After her release, she was charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct and sent to Hunterdon County jail in lieu of $5,000 bail.
"It's never good to spit on someone, especially those who are trying to help you," state police said in postings about the incident.
Brittany Berger - fugitive of the week
Berger was a fugitive of the week last summer, wanted by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office on criminal mischief and burglary charges under a warrant dated July 10, 2015. She was taken into custody in that case in August, authorities said.
She remained behind bars Wednesday afternoon on the charges out of Bloomsbury, an inmate database showed.
"Being a trooper can be a dirty job at times," state police wrote. "But let's not forget our first responder partners who are often right in the mix with us. Let's give them a shout out for tirelessly working to help save lives! And remember that many of the first responders in your area are volunteers ... just like our victim."
Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.