Police officer hurt in collision with wrong-way driver in Phoenix

Jan 1, 2021, 11:06 AM | Updated: Jan 3, 2021, 2:58 pm

(Twitter Photo/Phoenix Police Department)

PHOENIX — A Phoenix Police Department officer was hurt early Friday morning after colliding with a wrong-way driver, according to authorities.

The incident occurred around 6 a.m. near Cactus Road and 28th Street in Phoenix.

Authorities say the officer was traveling westbound when he encountered a wrong-way driver traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes.

The officer could not react in time to avoid the collision.

Sgt. Mercedes Fortune told KTAR News 92.3 FM that the officer, who’s been with the department for about a year, has serious injuries but are not life-threatening.

“We are very lucky that the collision was not much worse just based on some of the damage from that vehicle,” Fortune said.

Another vehicle was able to avoid being hit by the suspect prior to the wrong-way driver’s collision with the officer, according to Fortune.

As of Sunday, the officer remained in the hospital recovering from the incident.

Police later identified the driver as 22-year-old Dylan Johnson, who was booked on aggravated assault DUI and wrong-way driving.

The investigation suggests impairment was a factor in the collision.

The investigation is still ongoing.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Luke Forstner contributed to this report.

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