What happens when a drunk cop crashes a car? Two officials arrested in separate cases
In two separate incidents reported from the United States, police officials crashed their patrol car while allegedly driving the vehicle while intoxicated. Both incidents involved a police officer, each on duty when the accident occurred.
The first incident saw 42-year-old Miami-Dade police officer Leopold Lewis drive his police car straight into a parked car. Fortunately, however, the parked car was empty of any occupants at the time. It was further reported that Lewis fled the scene following the incident. He now faces charges of drunk driving, property damage as well as drunk driving. Top police department officials here took the crackdown even further by warning other officers not only to uphold the law but to abide by it, or face severe punishment.
In the second incident, 36-year-old Doug Rutoskey reversed his car into another vehicle. Like Lewis, he also tried to flee but it is reported that his patrol car ended up crashing into a construction fence. He has also now been arrested and faces the same charges.
Drunk driving leads to harsh penalties in the US, and in addition to fines, the accused can lose their legal driving privileges. In the event of an accident, the legal consequences are still severe.
(With input from Local News 10)
Date of first publication: November 26, 2022, 13:53 PM IST