PARAMUS -- A drunk driver sped away from police, crashed into a Route 17 highway divider and tried to fight with officers early Wednesday, authorities said.

A borough police officer stopped Kenneth McKersie, 31, of Emerson, after he spotted the 1996 Mercury sedan he was driving swerving across all lanes of Route 17 north around 2:20 a.m., according to Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg.

When Officer Matthew McGuire walked up to the car, he immediately saw that McKersie was intoxicated, the chief said in a statement. McKersie suddenly put the car in drive and took off northbound on the highway.

McGuire tried to catch up before the Mercury crashed into the median a short time later near Sheridan Avenue, Ehrenberg added.

Officers from Waldwick joined borough police in arresting McKersie, who tried to fight off the police, Ehrenberg said.

McKersie was treated for unspecified injuries from the wreck and transferred to the Bergen County Jail, according to police. He was charged with resisting arrest and eluding, and issued traffic summonses for driving while under the influence and driving with a suspended license.

Sheriff's records show he remained held on $50,000 bail at the county jail.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

