Drunken Driver Hits, Totals Gig Harbor Police Car: GHPD

GIG HARBOR, WA — Washington State Police are investigating a Sunday morning collision between a Gig Harbor police cruiser and an allegedly drunk driver, the Gig Harbor Police Department reports. The 22-year-old driver, whose name has not been released, was arrested, and both the driver and the officer were released from the hospital following minor injuries, GHPD Lt. Fred Douglas told Patch.

At about 2 a.m. Sunday, a 22-year-old driver was driving outside his lane near the 9000 block of Bujacich Road, Douglas said. GHPD Officer Brian Barber was on the right side of the road, and tried to move out of the way for the oncoming driver, but could not go any further to the right due to an embankment, Douglas said. The car crashed into the GHPD car on the shoulder of the road, destroying both cars, Douglas said.

Both Barber and the driver were taken to a nearby hospital for minor injuries, but were soon released, Douglas said.

The GHPD turned the investigation of the incident to the Washington State Police, the GHPD reported on Twitter. WSP arrested the 22-year-old driver, who tested twice the legal limit for blood alcohol content, according to a GHPD post. It is currently unknown whether the driver was speeding.

Patch and the GHPD are awaiting a full incident report from the WSP.