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Police: Drunk driver crashes into highway patrol cruiser

Posted at 10:21 AM, Jul 14, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-14 10:21:06-04

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 crash happened around 2:41 a.m. on East 55th Street near White Avenue. According to authorities, a 28-year-old Cleveland resident driving a 2013 Chrysler 200 drove 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.

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.

Troopers said alcohol appears to have been a factor in the crash.