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BWC: 3 injured, including Fla. officer, after suspected DUI driver slams into parked cruiser

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office cruiser, which had its emergency lights on, was parked behind a disabled vehicle when it was struck from behind

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has released body camera footage from a drunk driving crash that led to multiple injuries and damage to a police vehicle, Action News Jax reported.

The Dec. 26 crash took place on the Mathews Bridge, where a JSO officer was assisting two motorists in changing a tire on a disabled vehicle, according to the report. The officer’s patrol car was parked behind the vehicles with its emergency lights activated.

As the tire change was being completed, a pickup truck collided with the rear of the police car, causing one of the motorists to be pinned between two vehicles. Video shows the officer jumping away from the cars as the pinned man cried, “My leg! My leg!”

The officer opened the door to the pickup truck and instructed the driver to step on the brake. Both the driver and a passenger turned out to be unconscious, according to the report.

The officer applied the brake himself before calling in the crash on his radio and asking if the occupants of the cars were alright.

The crash resulted in serious injuries to two people and minor injuries to the officer, according to the report. The driver now faces six counts of DUI with property damage and/or personal injury, as well as charges for driving under the influence, careless driving and failing to move over for an emergency vehicle.

“Drive sober or get pulled over. Lives are on the line,” JSO posted on X.

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Joanna Putman is an Associate Editor and newswriter at Police1, where she has been covering law enforcement topics since August 2023. Based in Orlando, Florida, she holds a journalism degree from the University of Florida and spent two years working in nonprofit local newsrooms, gaining experience in community-focused reporting. Married to a law enforcement officer, she works hard to highlight the challenges and triumphs of those who serve and protect. Have a news tip? Email her at news@lexipol.com