2 Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office squads struck by different drivers Monday night

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office says two of their squads were struck by different vehicles Monday night, Dec. 9.

The sheriff's office says just before 9 p.m., a deputy got out of his squad on I-43 at 60th Street to remove debris from the roadway when his vehicle was struck by a driver who had been drinking. 

They say minutes later, a squad that was responding to help was hit by a different driver. The squad was so damaged it was removed from service. 

"Deputies out here on the freeway go through a lot anyways, it's a dangerous job," said Captain Charles Stowers with the Milwaukee County Patrol Division.

Fortunately, none of the drivers or deputies were injured.

The Greenfield Police Department says the first driver was arrested and cited for operating while intoxicated, first offense.

The second driver is being cited for failure to change lanes for a stopped emergency vehicle, which is known as the Move Over Law.

The sheriff's office is reminding drivers to move over if you see emergency vehicles stopped ahead, and if you can't safely move over, slow down.

"Slow down and give them some space," said Captain Stowers. "Pay attention, because along with impaired motorists, there is also a lot of electronic distraction in vehicles these days, and that also causes crashes."

Two lanes of traffic on I-43 were closed Monday night during the incidents but have since reopened.