ST. LOUIS – An apparent drunk driver struck a St. Louis police patrol vehicle overnight. One officer inside the vehicle during the crash was briefly hospitalized, but avoided serious injuries, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

The crash happened around 1 a.m. Saturday on Interstate 70 near the Broadway exit.

SLMPD reports that an officer re-entered his patrol vehicle just moments before it was struck.


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The officer was rushed to a hospital for evaluation, but avoided serious injuries and has since been released.

Police say a 41-year-old man accused in the crash “appeared to be intoxicated.” The suspect was taken into custody and could face charges of DUI, driving while his license was revoked and for previous bench warrants.

“We cannot stress enough — please do not drink and drive. You risk everything when you drive drunk,” said SLMPD in a Facebook post.

There were no other reports of injuries or additional vehicles involved in the crash.