A Taunton woman is facing an OUI charge after crashing into a Dighton police cruiser Monday night, Taunton Police Chief Edward J. Walsh and Dighton Police Acting Chief George Nichols said in a joint statement.
The crash happened at the intersection of Winthrop (Route 44) and Burt streets on the Taunton/Dighton line just before 9 p.m. on Oct. 9, police said. Responding officers found a Dighton police cruiser without its driver-side door and airbags fully deployed.
Officers also saw a brown 2014 Honda CRV with significant damage to its driver’s side and airbags deployed, police said.
It was determined that the cruiser, which had it blue lights on, was hit by the Honda while it was responding to a service call in Dighton. The Honda was speeding down Route 44 and crossed over the center line, striking the police car, authorities said.
The Taunton Fire Department, Dighton Fire Department and Rehoboth police were also called to the scene. One Dighton officer was brought to the hospital and has since been treated and released, officials said.
Meanwhile the driver of the Honda, identified as 30-year-old Michelle Sousa, was brought to the hospital for treatment. Police also found a half-empty bottle of liquor on the driver’s side of her vehicle.
Investigators later determined that there was probable cause to charge Sousa with operating under the influence, police said. She was charged with the following:
- Marked lanes violation
- Negligent operation of a motor vehicle
- OUI-Liquor (resulting in serious injury and negligent operation)
- Speeding
- Possession of an open alcohol container in a motor vehicle
Sousa is scheduled to be arraigned today in Taunton District Court Wednesday, police said.
