Deputy injured, struck by passing motorist who later failed sobriety tests
MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee County Sheriff's Deputy is recovering from minor injuries after being struck by a passing motorist.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office says just before 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1, the deputy was next to his squad at the scene of a traffic stop on College Avenue eastbound near Howell Avenue. He noticed a vehicle approaching dangerously close to him. The deputy was able to position himself against his squad to avoid the full impact, but was struck on his hand, which collapsed the driver’s vehicle’s side mirror.
A 48-year-old Milwaukee man was stopped by the deputy and performed poorly on field sobriety tests. He was arrested for OWI/Drugs Causing Injury, Recklessly Endangering Safety, and Felony Violation of Probation, and cited for Failure to Move Over for Emergency Vehicle. If convicted of the felony and misdemeanor charges, the 48-year-old faces up to 11 years in prison.
Acting Sheriff Richard Schmidt issued the following statement in a news release:
"We came inches away from losing the life of a deputy today. Citizens and public servants deserve safe streets. We MUST change the culture of reckless driving!"
The deputy was treated and released by the GMIA Milwaukee County Airport Fire Department.