Richmond Officer Injured, Two Cop Cars Hit in Separate DUI Incidents

Richmond Police Department is reminding resident that there are better ways to get home after drinking too much, following reports of two DUI incidents yesterday that left one injured officer and two arrests within just hours of each other.

Officials report the first incident in the City’s Southern District happened at Sunday 9:30 p.m., when a police officer was rear-ended in an intersection, reportedly suffering from unspecified injuries. RPD states that officer found the suspect to have a strong alcohol scent, and following a field sobriety test found driver had twice the legal blood alcohol limit. The report noted that the suspect had prior convictions for driving under the influence (DUI).

Five hours later, at approximately 2:30 a.m. Monday morning, an officer patrolling the city’s Northern District was reportedly driving down a residential street was sideswiped by a vehicle driving the wrong direction.

Officials say the driver of a car was dropping off a passenger in the opposing lane of traffic, pulled away from the curb hitting the driver's side of the fully marked police car. The driver was reportedly field tested and found to be at least double the legal alcohol limit, and booked for DUI.

“There are many options available to people who have enjoyed a little too much alcoholic beverages. Designate a sober driver, call a sober friend or relative to pick you up, call a taxicab, call for an Uber driver, etc,” stated Richmond PD in a social media post, “Please don't drive if you've been drinking alcoholic beverages. Your actions can forever change the lives of others, it is simply not worth it.”