Driver arrested on suspicion of DUI after crash with Atwater police car, CHP says

An Atwater driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence following a crash with an Atwater police car, according to the California Highway Patrol.

CHP Sgt. Danny Bowen said officers responded to the area of North Winton Way and Mitchell Avenue in Atwater at about 10:20 p.m. Thursday, to investigate a collision involving an Atwater police officer.

Bowen said the police officer was on patrol and driving southbound on North Winton Way in a Ford Taurus police cruiser. The officer saw a 2010 Toyota Prius driven by a 23-year-old Aeysha Olmos from Atwater traveling eastbound fail to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Elm Avenue and North Winton Way.

Authorities said the driver of the Prius made a left turn onto North Winton Way and began traveling northbound in the southbound lanes toward the officer.

According to Bowen, the officer moved to the side of the road as he prepared to make a U-turn when the vehicle passed his patrol car.

Authorities said the driver of the Prius then made a left turn toward Mitchell Avenue directly in front of the patrol car. The officer was unable to avoid the vehicle and the front of the patrol car collided with the passenger side of the Prius, according to Bowen.

The police officer was transported to Mercy Medical Center in Merced for treatment of minor injuries, Bowen said.

Following a field sobriety test, Olmos was arrested on suspicion of DUI and booked into the Merced County Jail, according to Bowen.

CHP says the collision remains under investigation.

This story was originally published January 19, 2020 at 12:13 PM.