2 Portland officers hospitalized after cars struck by suspected impaired driver

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Two Portland police officers were hospitalized after a suspected impaired driver hit their cars, authorities said.

According to Portland police, just after midnight Sunday morning, the officers were parked along the curb on North Greeley Avenue while finishing up a call when a driver in a 2005 white Chevrolet Tahoe sideswiped both of the vehicles.

The impact of the crash severely damaged both the Chevrolet and the Ford police vehicles, authorities said, and one of the officers became briefly stuck in their vehicle due to damage to the door.

The officers were treated on-scene and then taken to a hospital. Officials said that one officer suffered a concussion and neck pain and the other received a shoulder injury.

The driver of the Chevrolet was uninjured, authorities said and they were arrested on the scene.

Following an investigation, the driver was booked and faces charges including driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person and two counts of fourth-degree assault.

Portland police chief Bob Day shared in a statement that he wishes the officers the best while they recover and that he hopes this serves as a reminder not to drink and drive.

“I wish our officers the best in their recovery from this crash,” said Chief Bob Day. “This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers that police officers face every day as they serve our community. And, I hope it’s a reminder to everyone not to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.”