A police captain from Orange was critically injured Tuesday after he was struck on his motorcycle while leading a funeral procession in Middlesex County, authorities said.

Capt. William Boggier, 58, was leading the procession in the Avenel section of Woodbridge when the crash occurred. Boggier was taken to University Hospital’s intensive care unit in Newark with injuries considered life threatening, according to police.

“He is in critical condition. That’s all we can say,” Orange city spokesman Keith Royster said in an email on Tuesday.

Woodbridge police confirmed the crash occurred in the township and referred media calls to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s office.

“It was during the funeral escort and procession,” said Andrea Boulton, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office.

Boulton said the crash occurred near Minna Avenue and Avenel Street but she did not know when the crash occurred or who the funeral was for.

Robin Lavorato, coordinator of the Essex County Opioid Task Force, said Boggier has been active in the fight against Opioid addiction.

“Capt. Boggier is an amazing man and top-notch law enforcement officer,” Lavorato said.

“He is not only a well-respected law enforcement officer, he is a devoted husband and dad to his cherished daughters,” Lavorato said. “(He is) a friend and supporter to our efforts of addressing individuals and families suffering from substance use disorder.”

Boggier took part in overdose training with other law enforcement agencies and was skilled in the use of Narcan, which police officers have successfully used to revive victims of narcotics overdose.

Committed to the fight against NJ's opioid epidemic, along with community partners The Overdose Prevention Agency... Posted by Ammon Labs on Thursday, November 29, 2018

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.