CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police have charged a man they said was driving while impaired when he collided head-on with a CMPD vehicle in northwest Charlotte early Tuesday.
The crash happened around 3 a.m. near Toddville Road and Esther Lane.
Authorities said a Hyundai Sonata crossed the center line and hit the CMPD Ford Explorer head-on. The Charlotte Fire Department also responded to the crash because two people were trapped. It took 14 firefighters 10 minutes to get both people free.
Police told Channel 9 that CMPD Officer Lindsey Stapleton and the driver of the Hyundai, Rayford Robinson Jr., were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. A woman passenger in Robinson’s car was also seriously hurt in the crash.
CMPD said Stapleton was driving northbound on Toddville Road when Robinson, who was heading southbound, crossed the center line and collided with the CMPD vehicle.
Officials said Stapleton was on-duty ant the time of the crash and was on routine patrol and not using her emergency equipment when the wreck happened.
Robinson was charged with DWI and will be served warrants for two counts of felony serious injury by vehicle when he is released from the hospital.
Toddville Road was shut down at Esther Lane for several hours while officers investigated the scene.
This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for more information.
Cox Media Group
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