I photocopied both and sent the original back to the court instead of the copy. That's alright, right?
Yes that's fine.
The officer is not on vacation after all. Just wasn't in yesterday.
I believe I mentioned that troopers in New York do not prosecute their own cases. New Castle has a prosecutor to handle the trooper cases. The next step is that you will get a notice in the mail to appear for a "pre-trial conference" with the prosecutor.
Speak with him and tell him the basic facts, i.e. that there was an accident and the trooper did not witness it, and that you never even changed lanes. Try to refrain from saying anything incriminating like "yeah I wasn't paying attention and I hit the other car from behind.". See if it can be dismissed. If it can't then see what reduction you are offered.
Honestly, if the prosecutor offers you anything with "no points" (like a VTL 1201(a) - "parking on pavement") I'd seriously consider taking it since you did screw up. If he doesn't offer it then be a little aggressive and remind him that you never changed lanes and that you have no problem with a trial and then YOU ask for it. I know court can be a little intimidating but it's not that hard.
So either you can accept the offer (and if you don't understand it then make sure you ASK for an explanation), or reject it and insist on a trial. If a trial then you will have to come back to court and then the trooper will be there. At that point you should be able to win fairly easily.
It's all up to you whether you want to spend some money or the time.
Please let me know if you have any questions about anything. Please post back here with the results of the case - it's always good reference material.