DUI Suspect Slams Into Patrol Car; Deputy Escapes Serious Injury
A Flathead County Sheriff's deputy was lucky to escape serious injury this week after his patrol car was destroyed by a suspected drunk driver.
The crash serves as another reminder to both not drink and drive, but to watch out for any emergency responders stopped along the highway.
The Flathead County Sheriff's Office says the close call occurred when the deputy, whose name wasn't immediately released, was stopped by the side of the road doing some paperwork. Authorities explain the deputy was completing his forms while making a routine traffic stop on Highway 82 in Somers.
While the officer was working, investigators say a westbound SUV hit the deputy's patrol vehicle at highway speed. From the pictures released by the Sheriff's Department, you can see the entire back end of the officer's SUV was crushed, but fortunately, the passenger cabin remained intact.
FCSO says the deputy was taken by ambulance to Logan Health in Kalispell, where he was treated for minor injuries and sent him to rest after the ordeal.
Investigators didn't immediately know the condition of the driver in the other truck.
The Montana Highway Patrol is doing the formal investigation and what charges may be filed.
The Flathead County Sheriff's Office says the incident is another reminder to "NOT drive and drive, wear your seatbelt and find a sober driver" if you've been drinking and shouldn't be driving. FCSO is once again appealing for all drivers to slow down when driving through scenes where emergency lights are flashing.