Approximately 2 a.m. on July 26, 2012, a suspected drunk driver ran a stop sign and crashed into a St. Louis patrol car, causing it to fly into the air, hit a telephone pole and land on its side. Both drivers were hospitalized. The extent of their injuries was not revealed. The suspected drunk driver was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated and second-degree assault.

In Missouri, if officers have probable cause to stop a driver they believe is intoxicated, the driver must submit to a blood, breath or urine test. The officer gets to choose the test and if the driver refuses, his or her license will be suspended for up to a year. The refusal to take the test is also admissible evidence in the criminal or civil case against the driver.

Criminal penalties that are imposed depend on the circumstances of each particular case. Convictions result in suspension of the driver's license for some length of time, possible jail time and a fine.

Those who have been injured by a drunk driver have legal remedies available to them. Under Missouri law, collecting damages from an alleged drunken driver does not require the driver to be criminally convicted or even charged.

Those injured may recover the costs of their medical expenses and lost wages. They may also collect for pain and suffering. If a loved one has been killed by a drunk driver, family members may have a claim for wrongful death. Often, the very act of driving drunk is considered gross negligence allowing the injured party to collect punitive damages, which are imposed to punish drivers for their reckless conduct.

Source: The Sacramento Bee, "St. Louis officer injured after squad car hit," July 26, 2012.

Our firm handles situations similar to the one discussed in this post. If you would like to learn more about our practice, please visit our St. Louis drunk driving accident page.