What started as a routine Saturday night patrol on the South Side ended with two San Antonio police officers in the hospital after an alleged drunk driver plowed into their cruiser near Southeast Military Drive and Mission Road around 10:20 p.m.
Both officers suffered what authorities described as non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police said the driver of the Chevy that hit them was arrested at the scene after officers determined he was intoxicated.
How the crash unfolded
According to Fox San Antonio, the officers were heading eastbound on SE Military Drive as they approached Mission Road when a Chevy traveling westbound tried to turn onto Military and slammed into the patrol car.
San Antonio police traffic officers responded, documented the collision and arrested the Chevy driver on suspicion of intoxication. Crews later cleared the intersection after investigators finished processing the scene.
Officers' condition
Per Fox San Antonio, “The officers were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.”
The San Antonio Police Department has not released the officers' names or any further medical details, citing the ongoing investigation. Officials said the case remains active and that more information will be shared when it becomes available.
Pattern of patrol-car crashes
This wreck is the latest in a string of patrol-car crashes that have put San Antonio officers in harm's way in recent months. On Feb. 11, a multi-vehicle collision near the Medical Center sent two SAPD officers to the hospital, according to the San Antonio Express-News. Recent incidents have involved everything from suspected impairment to red-light crashes and medical emergencies behind the wheel.
Legal context
The Chevy driver in Saturday's crash was taken into custody on suspicion of intoxication. Prosecutors will later decide what, if any, criminal charges to file.
Under Texas law, intoxication assault applies when intoxicated driving causes “serious bodily injury” and is generally charged as a third-degree felony, while intoxication manslaughter applies if a death results and is classified as a second-degree felony. For the statutory definitions and potential penalties, see Texas Penal Code §49.07 and Texas Penal Code §49.08.
What's next
SAPD's traffic unit is handling the investigation and will forward its findings, including any evidence of intoxication, to the Bexar County District Attorney's Office if charges are deemed appropriate.
Officials said more details, including potential charges and the officers' updated conditions, are expected once the case file reaches prosecutors or the department releases a follow-up report.
