By Kellie Hwang
Source San Francisco Chronicle
On early Sunday morning, an Alameda County Sheriff's deputy suffered injuries when a suspected drunk driver collided into their vehicle.
According to the Sheriff's Office, a driver going at a high rate of speed ran a red light near 16th Avenue and Foothill Boulevard and collided into the deputy's vehicle at about 4:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. Oakland police and firefighters responded to the scene.
"The patrol car sustained major front end damage and (caught) fire at one point," said Lt. Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. "The deputy was banged up and went to the hospital to get treated."
Photos from the crash scene show the deputy's SUV was badly mangled in the front, and a battered silver sedan several feet away on its passenger side on the grass, the windshield shattered.
Kelly said there were two people in the other car, and both were able to exit the vehicle and were treated for their injuries. The driver, who has not yet been named, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
"This underscores dangers of drunk driving," Kelly said. "This happens in our community too often. The deputy could have been any other community member...It's one crime where there is really no excuse for it. It's a very selfish act."
The Oakland Police Department is handling the accident investigation.
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