Daniel Breslin was critically injured in the crash with an alleged drunk driver.
Bergen County Police Officer Daniel Breslin. (Courtesy BCPD)FAIRFIELD -- A Bergen County police officer injured by an allegedly drunk driver nearly two years ago is getting a helping hand from his hometown brothers and sisters in blue.
The Fairfield police and fire departments are hosting a charity "Battle of the Badges" softball game Saturday to raise funds to help support Daniel Breslin's ongoing recovery, the departments announced. Breslin, a Bergen County police officer, was critically injured in 2014 when an allegedly drunk driver rear-ended his car on route 46 in Lodi. High school teacher Michael Ettz was charged in the crash.
Breslin was in a medically-induced coma for weeks after the crash. According to a NorthJersey report, he suffered a traumatic brain injury, and has had to re-learn how to eat and speak.
Wesley Mierzwa, a captain with the fire department in Fairfield, where Breslin lives with his wife and two kids, said the game is meant as a way to help the officer's ongoing struggle.
"His recovery is going well and (he is) still doing therapy at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation," Mierzwa said of Breslin. The money raised at the event will go toward the family's medical bills, he said.
Local restaurants also got in on the action, with Franklin's Steakhouse, Thatcher Mcghees, and Sidelines Bar and Grill, donating portions of their proceeds this week to the effort.
The softball game is Saturday at 4 p.m. at Palmieri Field in Fairfield.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.