DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines police officer is recovering after suffering minor injuries when his patrol car was struck by an impaired driver, the department said in a press release.
The 24-year-old officer was driving south on SE 14th Street just after 9:30 p.m. Tuesday when he passed through the intersection at Watrous Avenue and was hit by a driver attempting a left turn.
The suspect crashed into the driver's side of the patrol car. Both the officer and the suspect were taken to hospitals for minor injuries.
The suspect, a 21-year-old man, faces the following charges:
- OWI — 1st Offense
- Failure to Yield Right of Way Upon Left Turn
- Operating Without a Valid Drivers License
Police used the incident to remind drivers of the dangers of impaired driving. The department said officers arrested 466 drivers for OWI offenses in 2023 alone.