In what could have been a tragic turn of events, a Hennepin County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) deputy and his K9 companion survived a collision with a drunk driver early hours this morning. The deputy, who has not been named, and the K9 were hit at an intersection during their shift, as reported by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office in a social media statement.
The incident occurred when 28-year-old Diego Alexander Iza-Simbana, whose actions led to the collision, fled the scene on foot. Despite the dangers posed by his inebriated state, whose breath test read nearly three times the legal limit, quick action by responding HCSO deputies facilitated his rapid capture. "This case is now being handled by the MN State Patrol," the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office stated, passing the baton to the Minnesota State Patrol in this narrowly averted disaster.
Both the deputy and the K9 dog were evaluated following the crash, with the deputy having been treated at the local hospital for injuries sustained. The K9, meanwhile, was found to be unharmed. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office expressed gratitude that the incident did not escalate to dire consequences, emphasizing how the outcome "could’ve ended much differently and we are grateful everyone is ok."
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office statement also extended thanks to the various agencies involved in the aftermath of the incident, "Thank you to our deputies and partners at MPD and State Patrol for their quick action and teamwork in bringing everyone to safety." it read, acknowledging the collaborative efforts of the Minneapolis Police Department and the State Patrol.
Official charges for Iza-Simbana are pending as the incident remains under investigation. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office continues to monitor the recovery of their personnel and K9 unit, alluding to the sobering reminder that even those sworn to protect are not immune to the perils of reckless behavior on the roads.
