The Oregonian
oregonlive.com
MILWAUKIE, Ore. — Milwaukie police said a “drunk driver” crashed into a parked patrol car early Wednesday morning.
Officers – and a suspect in custody – were standing outside the police car and jumped out of the way before the crash. An officer’s body-worn camera captured the crash.
Police were in the 11500 block of Southeast Linwood Avenue in Milwaukie at about 2 a.m. Wednesday after receiving a report from a homeowner of an “unknown individual” in the property’s backyard.
Officers parked the patrol car on Linwood Avenue “with parking lights and red-and-blue lights activated,” police said in a statement. They tracked down the trespass suspect, who police have not named, and took him into custody.
Officers were about to put the handcuffed suspect into the patrol car when one of them noticed a black Chevrolet Camaro coming towards them that didn’t have its headlights on, police said. The car did not slow down as it approached, and the officers pulled the trespass suspect back right before the Camaro smashed into the parked police car.
No one was injured in the crash, police said.
Police identified the driver of the Camaro as Jeffery Michael Bertsch, 31. He faces likely charges of driving under the influence, reckless driving and recklessly endangering, police said.
Police said the trespass suspect was “emotionally affected by the incident,” and officers placed him on a behavioral health hold.
The crash comes a day after a driver smashed into a parked police car on I-205 that injured two Portland officers and the driver. Police booked the driver, Brent W. Bussell, into jail, saying the investigation indicates “impairment was a factor in the crash.”
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