State Trooper Collides With Drunk Driver To Protect Runners
Sometimes police officers have to make quick decisions and take evasive action in order to protect the lives of others. This is often the case when someone is engaging in criminal activity and putting the lives of others in harm’s way.
A Florida state trooper recently acted in a brave manner, hitting a drunk driver to save the lives of runners. The incident happened on the morning of March 6 in Pasco County.
Thousands of runners were participating in the Skyway 10K when a drunk driver crashed through the barricades that were set up. The vehicle was swerving and speeding as it passed by several police officers on Interstate 275. That was when a Florida state trooper took evasive action.
The trooper put her patrol car in the middle of the road to block the driver’s path just ½ mile from the starting point of the race. The driver came straight toward the patrol vehicle at approximately 80 miles per hour and the two vehicles collided head on.
Both vehicles suffered extensive damage in the crash. The police officer was injured in the crash and is at home recuperating. She claimed that she has never had to put herself in that situation before. The race organizers were thankful for the police officer who bravely protected the runners by putting herself in danger.
The drunk driver, a 52-year-old woman was booked into Manatee County Jail on a $52,000 bond. She faces multiple criminal charges, including one count of DUI-serious injury, two counts of DUI-property damage, and two counts of reckless driving.
Preventing Impaired Driving
While all states have laws in place to punish those who are intoxicated, drunk driving is still a serious issue in almost all states. Despite the ubiquity of rideshare vehicles such as Uber and Lyft, many people still choose to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol.
There are two main things that police officers can do to stop drunk drivers: sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols. Publicized sobriety checkpoints allow police to stop vehicles at certain locations to check drivers for impairment. Police are allowed to stop a portion of drivers or all of them if they so desire. These checkpoints should be well-publicized and conducted regularly for best results.
Saturation patrols may also be helpful. These consist of numerous patrolling a specific area that is prone to drunk drivers. This may be around a bar or after a large event, such as a concert or sporting event. The patrols may occur late at night or in the early morning hours.
Seek Help for Your Criminal Defense Case
Drinking and driving is a serious issue that can affect the lives of many people. In this case, the intoxicated driver could have potentially injured or killed thousands of people.
If you have been arrested for DUI, you need to act quickly. Contact a Dade City & Zephyrhills DUI defense attorney from Madonna Law Group for the best defense possible. Schedule a consultation by calling (800) 557-0411 or filling out the online form.
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