Two Wauwatosa police officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries Monday night when their cruiser was struck by a suspected intoxicated driver during a pursuit, officials said. The officers were in chase of a different vehicle, a white Dodge Charger, which had previously evaded a traffic stop last Monday. The incident unfolded around 7:30 p.m. near 20th and Hampton, and following the crash, the driver of the striking vehicle was apprehended on suspicion of intoxicated driving, WISN 12 News reported.
Earlier, Wauwatosa officers engaged in the pursuit after spotting the Charger at approximately 7:20 p.m. near 60th and Silver Spring, an area where the same vehicle fled from an attempted stop. The officers attempted to pull over the Charger near 20th and Stark, whereupon the driver sped away, causing the vehicle to ultimately crash into a pole near 21st and Stark, FOX 6 News detailed. Officers then apprehended a 48-year-old Milwaukee man, believed to be the driver, who ran from the crash scene and was wanted on multiple warrants.
The injured Wauwatosa officers were transported to a hospital, where they were treated for their injuries. The Milwaukee Police Department took the driver into custody for driving while intoxicated, who, after striking the police cruiser, was not involved in the initial chase, according to officials.
Authorities have stated that charges against the driver of the Dodge Charger, the 48-year-old man with multiple warrants, will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office in the coming days. Details emerged after the man led officers on a brief but dangerous chase, first circling the area before crashing and attempting to escape on foot, as described by CBS 58 News. The Wauwatosa Police Department asserts their commitment to ensuring the safety of the community, despite the risks posed by such perilous encounters.
