Driver slams into patrol car, pinning Van Buren County deputy

SBT24/7News Report

Tools

Van Buren County Sheriff's Deputy hit by drunk driver

A Van Buren County Sheriff's Deputy was injured when a suspected drunk driver slammed into the back of his patrol car during a traffic stop in Decatur on Friday, July 3, 2009. (Photo provided)

By WSBT 24/7 News

Story Created: Jul 3, 2009 at 6:32 AM EST

Story Updated: Jul 3, 2009 at 11:06 AM EST

A routine traffic stop in Decatur just before 2 a.m. Friday turned into the unexpected when a suspected drunk driver plowed into the back of a patrol car — when the deputy was standing by the car’s trunk.

Deputies with the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department stopped a car on Delaware Street near Mills Road to check for a possible alcohol impaired driver. A potential suspect from that vehicle was placed in the back of the patrol car.

Deputy Matt Konkle went to retrieve a breath test kit from the trunk of his patrol car when another car slammed into him, pinning him between both vehicles, according to a sheriff’s department report.

Konkle was taken to Bronson/Lakeview Hospital in Paw Paw with leg and other injuries, but is expected to be released later Friday, according to the sheriff’s department.

The driver of the car that hit the officer and his car, a 26-year-old Dowagiac man, was arrested for driving while intoxicated.

The person who was sitting in the patrol car when it was struck, was found not to be intoxicated and was not physically injured in the accident, according to the sheriff’s department.

More Good Stuff

WSBT Weather

Current Temp 46.6

More Weather

WSBT Weather

More Weather

On Demand

iPhone
Get the WSBT News and Irish Sports Report apps for your iPhone! Read more »
On DVD
Order a DVD of a WSBT news story! Read more »
Twitter
Follow us on Twitter! Read more »
Facebook
Connect with us on Facebook! Read more »
WSBT E-News
Daily StormTracker e-mails right to your Inbox! Read more »
Video On Demand
Miss a story on WSBT News? Watch it here! Read more »
CBS Shows
Watch CBS shows and news online, free! Read more »
WSBT Alert
Breaking News & Weather right to your cell phone! Read more »
Mobile
WSBT News on the go for your cell phone or PDA. Read more »
RSS Feeds
Get news and updates as soon as they're published. Read more »

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.