MESA, AZ — A Mesa police officer is recovering after his patrol car was struck by a drunk driver early Sunday morning.
Police say the driver, 31-year-old Hamilton Ruiz, was traveling eastbound on Main Street when he rear-ended the officer's patrol car that was stopped at a red light at Gilbert Road.
According to the police report, Ruiz showed signs of being intoxicated and had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath while talking to police. He admitted to officers he had four alcoholic beverages at a nearby billiards hall before the crash. Police say when officers were interviewing Ruiz that his eyes were bloodshot, his face was flushed with color, and he had a slow speech pattern.
The officer was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police say.
Ruiz was arrested for driving under the influence and booked into jail for extreme DUI.
Despite the ubiquitous nature of ride share services, we’re still seeing DUI drivers defying social norms and placing lives in danger. We are fortunate our officer will be home today, although recovering, he will celebrate Fathers Day with his family @MesaPD pic.twitter.com/Z6yl1w0y7G
— Chief Ramon Batista (@RBatista10) June 16, 2019
