People driving while under the influence is the reason behind many fatal car wrecks each year. Despite this, drunk driving is a crime that police officers conduct traffic stops for daily. Recently, one driver in Florida caused an accident with a police squad car, and now they’re facing a DUI charge, among other penalties. 

Driving under the influence is never okay

According to CBS 12 News, a police officer was on patrol duty on April 20th at around 11:45 p.m. in Manatee County. The night was going smoothly until the officer tried to make a left turn to enter a parking lot. As he turned, the officer spotted a pickup truck veering into the southbound lanes. Sadly, the person, whom he later learned had been driving under the influence, collided head-on with the squad car. 

The squad car rolled over after colliding with the person who had been driving under the influence. The officer can be heard asking for him in the now-released body cam footage. Soon, another deputy can be seen rushing to the car to help the injured colleague. Then, they confront the drunk driver, William Thomas, 47, who has his hands up while still inside the truck. However, the report says he was still noncompliant with the officers on the scene. They also smelled the odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. 

From there, the man was medically evaluated and then taken to jail for driving under the influence. At the hospital, he consented to a breath test, which confirmed from a medical perspective that he was, in fact, drunk. He is now facing a DUI charge, as well as charges for damage to property or injury to another person. The police officer was treated for minor injuries at a hospital. This is a developing story in terms of punishment for the driver.