Norristown Officer Charged After Running Over Naked Man

The officer accelerated his patrol vehicle to intentionally hit the unarmed man, authorities say.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A Norristown police sergeant has been charged with aggravated assault and other crimes after investigators say he intentionally struck a naked, unarmed man with his patrol vehicle without warning or attempt to de-escalate the situation.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about the use of force by police and whether proper protocols were followed, especially when dealing with individuals who may be experiencing a mental health crisis.

The details

On February 4th, officers responded to reports of a naked man, later identified as Justin Rich, screaming and damaging cars. Sergeant Daniel DeOrzio, the highest-ranking officer on the scene, ordered a vehicle to be moved, then immediately accelerated and slammed his patrol car into Rich, who was standing unarmed in the middle of the intersection with his hands on his hips. Investigators say DeOrzio did not attempt any de-escalation tactics, give verbal commands, or use less-lethal force before hitting Rich, who was hospitalized but only faces misdemeanor charges.

  • The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 4th at 8:04 a.m.
  • Rich was released from the hospital on February 4th.

The players

Daniel DeOrzio

A 52-year-old sergeant on the Norristown police force who has been charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, official oppression, and recklessly endangering another person.

Justin Rich

The naked man who was struck by DeOrzio's patrol vehicle. Rich was hospitalized but only faces misdemeanor charges.

Montgomery County District Attorney's Office

The office that announced the charges against DeOrzio, stating his actions were not justified.

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What’s next

A preliminary hearing will be scheduled once DeOrzio is arraigned.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for continued scrutiny and reform around police use of force, especially when dealing with individuals who may be in crisis, to ensure proper de-escalation tactics are utilized before resorting to potentially deadly actions.