Two people were taken to the hospital Saturday morning when the Ohio State Highway Patrol cruiser they were sitting in was struck from behind by an alleged drunk driver. The driver has since been charged.
The crash happened around 2:41 a.m. on East 55th Street near White Avenue. According to authorities, 28-year-old Laronda Mcwhorter, of Cleveland, drove a 2013 Chrysler 200 into the rear end of the cruiser, causing the police vehicle to then collide with a 2013 Jeep Wrangler that was the subject of a traffic stop, authorities said.
RELATED: Police say drunk driver crashes into highway patrol cruiser
The cruiser was in the right lane with its emergency lights activated at the time of the incident, police said.
The trooper, who was standing at the rear of the cruiser moments before the crash, was able to jump out of the way of the Chrysler before the impact. After the Chrysler hit the trooper's car it veered off the side of the road and struck a light post, authorities said.
The Chrysler's driver was also taken to a local hospital for treatment. All three people's injuries appear to be non-life-threatening, authorities said.
An investigation revealed that Mcwhorter was impaired by alcohol at the time of the accident. On Monday, Mcwhorter was charged for driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination of them, and speeding. Mcwhorter entered not guilty pleas for these charges on Wednesday and is due in court on Tuesday, July 24 for a pre-trial hearing.
