Fleeing Driver Rams Alameda Police Car — No Injuries

An intoxicated driver made a sudden U-turn and rammed an Alameda patrol car during a police pursuit along Lincoln Avenue early this morning, an Alameda Police Department spokesperson said.

Two Alameda police officers, the fleeing driver and his passenger emerged from the collision without any injuries, Lt. Jill Ottaviano said.

The incident began about 3:45 a.m. when two officers in a single patrol car saw a vehicle sail through a flashing red traffic light at Lincoln Avenue and Park Street without stopping, Ottaviano said.

She said the patrol car followed the vehicle westbound on Lincoln, using flashing lights and siren but at a moderate speed. The driver failed to stop.

At Lincoln and Benton Street, the driver made a U-turn and rammed the patrol car, damaging its left rear door, Ottaviano said.

Officers arrested the driver, a young Alameda man, on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, evading police and driving while intoxicated. His passenger, also a young Alameda man, was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication.

Both men cooperated with police after the collision, Ottaviano said.

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