By Brent Johnson
The Star-Ledger

BOUND BROOK, N.J. — Seen one way, Richard Dietrich was acting like an overzealous rescue squad volunteer — and a crusty, foul-mouthed volunteer at that — who believed the law didn't apply to him.

Viewed another way, he was a devoted caregiver toting a vital piece of equipment that could help save a life, and he needed to get it to the scene in a hurry.

Both scenarios played out today in a municipal courtroom in Bridgewater, where Dietrich, 63, fought three tickets issued to him in March after he allegedly disobeyed a police officer, driving his emergency vehicle across railroad tracks to free a trapped woman whose car had been struck by a train.

Full story: Police officers and rescue squad members in conflict at trial