GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Green Bay Police are reminding people to make smart decisions behind the wheel, after a parked squad vehicle was hit by a suspected drunk driver over the weekend.
Around 2:30 Saturday morning, officers were on the scene of an accident in the 1300 block of Main Street. An officer had parked a marked squad car with the emergency lights activated a short distance behind the accident to protect the accident scene, and the people involved with the accident. While police investigated the accident, a suspected intoxicated driver rear-ended the marked squad car (with emergency lights on).
Nobody was in the vehicle, and nobody was injured.
But police say it is another example of how operating while intoxicated can result in a serious crash.
In a press release, police issued the following reminders.
Operating While Intoxicated results in:
- Increase risk-taking (speeding, failure to wear a seat belt, recklessness)
- Decreased attention and ability to concentrate
- Poor judgement and decision making
- Slowed reaction time and lack of coordination
- Increased likelihood of having an accident
The legal ramification of drinking & driving:
- Driving license suspended/revoked
- Fines/court costs (WI average >$3500)
- Loss of job/or professional license
- OWI causing injury is a FELONY
Green Bay Police are urging citizens to utilize the Safe Ride Program or a designated driver if they or their friends/family have been drinking. If the above driver had done either of these things on Saturday morning, it would have prevented an accident and a OWI arrest.
