A Calgary police officer was injured Friday when their police car was struck by an impaired driver on Stoney Trail.
Around 8:45 p.m., an officer was conducting a traffic stop on southbound Stoney Trail S.E. at 88 Street S.E. when someone drove into the back of their vehicle.
The officer was sitting in the driver’s seat with emergency lights activated on the right shoulder, when a white 2015 Dodge Caravan drove into it an unknown speed.
The police car suffered extensive damage and the officer had to be extracted from the car, where he was transported to hospital with minor, non-life threatening injuries.
The force of the collision also caused the police car to hit the vehicle involved in the traffic stop.
The driver of that vehicle wasn’t injured.
A 37-year-old man was charged with one count of impaired operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration over 80 milligrams and impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.
He’s scheduled to appear in court on May 6.
“This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers associated with officer-based traffic enforcement for police and all road users on high-speed, high-volume roadways,” said Chief Constable Mark Neufeld.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online or by downloading the P3 Tips app.
