An off-duty police officer has been charged with drunk driving after allegedly striking a Westville police cruiser.

Michael May, 28, of National Park, a Lumberton patrolman, has been charged with driving under the influence and assault by auto, West Deptford Police Chief Craig Mangano said Tuesday. May is temporarily taking leave time while the investigation is completed.

Police said the accident happened shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Route 45 and Colonial Avenue.

Westville patrolman Michael Packer, 25, was traveling south on Route 45 toward Woodbury when his patrol car was struck on the driver's side door by a black 2000 Nissan Xterra as it attempted to make a left turn onto Colonial Avenue.

Packer, who had to be cut out of his patrol car, was taken to Underwood-Memorial Hospital in Woodbury where he was treated and released.

Packer, the son of former Westville Mayor William Packer, is a rookie officer and was driving a new cruiser. He returned to duty the next day.

The Borough of Westville purchased the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor early last year, said Westville Mayor Michael Galbraith.

The incident is still under investigation by the West Deptford Police Department. Once completed, the investigation will be forwarded to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office for possible filing of DUI / drunk driving charges.