A former Essex County sheriff’s officer charged in a drunken, three-vehicle crash that left eight people hurt three years ago entered a plea agreement on Friday that will spare him jail time.

Michael Johnson , 38, was off duty and behind the wheel of a Jeep Cherokee around 11:20 p.m. on June 4, 2022, when he collided with two SUVs at Harrison Avenue and the ramp to Route 280 in Harrison in Hudson County.

Eight people were injured in the crash. The investigation revealed Johnson was under the influence, traveling east in the westbound lane.

Johnson had been charged with three counts of second-degree aggravated assault, three counts of third-degree assault by auto and five counts of fourth-degree assault by auto.

In an agreement last week, Johnson pleaded guilty to three counts of third

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