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A police officer in Calgary sustained injuries during a traffic stop when their vehicle was struck by an alleged drunk driver on Friday night. The incident occurred around 8:45 p.m. on the southbound lanes of Stoney Trail S.E., near 88 Street S.E.
According to the Calgary Police Service (CPS), the officer was positioned in their cruiser with activated emergency lights at the time of the crash. Reports indicate that a white 2015 Dodge Caravan rear-ended the officer’s vehicle, producing a significant impact.
The collision resulted in considerable damage to the police cruiser, requiring emergency personnel to extract the officer from the wreckage. Fortunately, the officer’s injuries were classified as minor and non-life-threatening, and they were promptly transported to the hospital for evaluation.
Furthermore, the collision caused the cruiser to push forward, resulting in a secondary impact with the vehicle that the officer had initially stopped. Authorities confirmed that the driver of that vehicle was unharmed.
The driver of the Dodge Caravan, identified as 37-year-old Nolan Taylor Watt, was arrested at the scene. Police reported no injuries to him during the incident. Chief Const. Mark Neufeld addressed the situation, emphasizing the inherent risks faced by officers during traffic enforcement, particularly on high-speed and high-volume roadways.
Watt has been charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 80 milligrams, and impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm. He is set to appear in court on Tuesday, May 6.
Source
globalnews.ca