Wrong-way driver Erin Salmon sentenced to 18 months in prison

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A Milwaukee County judge sentenced 24-year-old Erin Salmon to 18 months in prison plus two years of extended supervision on Wednesday, February 27th.

Salmon drove the wrong way on I-94 in September 2012. Her car rammed the car of a Milwaukee Police officer heading home after his shift.

The officer, 32-year-old Joshua Albert, has few memories of what happened to him that night. But he knows his injuries -- a punctured lung, fractured pelvis and hip -- may prevent him from ever being back on the streets of Milwaukee as an officer.

"Day by day, it's a battle. I'm in constant pain all day long through my ankle and my hips. And it's a struggle," said Albert.

The prosecutor told the court on Wednesday that Salmon had possibly eight to ten drinks and smoked marijuana before driving to drop off a co-worker. She got into two hit-and-run accidents before crashing into Albert.

"I want to apologize to the Albert family and to my family for ever having to get that call in the middle of the night. And I was the reason for it," said Salmon. "And I want to say through an excellent support system and counselor, I've learned a lot about myself and the choices that I made that night."

The judge said Salmon's story should hit home with many young people who binge drink.

Salmon recently graduated from UW-Milwaukee and has always wanted to help other young people resolve their problems. She may one day tell her own story to them.

Albert says he's used all his sick time and is using donated time from co-workers to stay on the payroll. He may be cleared to go back to work light duty in March.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.

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