DUI suspect crashes car into Spokane police vehicle

A drunk driver collided with a Spokane police vehicle Tuesday evening, sending the officer to the hospital, according to police reports.

The police sargeant, who was not named, was turning onto Lincoln Street from Mallon Avenue near the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena when a vehicle driven by 56-year-old Kenneth M. Boardman struck the police SUV head on.

Boardman was arrested for DUI and his car did not have the headlights turned on, according to police.

The officer was not seriously injured. The patrol SUV’s bumper absorbed most of the impact from the collision.