Police officer assaulted by drunk driver in Sunningdale

AN alleged drunk driver was arrested for assaulting by Durban North police officer on Saturday night in Sunningdale. The drunken driver allegedly slammed the officer’s hand in the door of his vehicle when the officer attempted to handcuff him. According to Capt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the station, the officer was on a patrol on Fig Tree Rise when he saw two men run out of a house to a parked car.

“The officer asked the driver for his license which he didn’t have on him. He told the officer he was only going to Morningside to drop off two of his friends. The officer suspected he had been drinking due to his behaviour and the smell of alcohol. He was warned not to drive his vehicle. The officer and his partner continued their operation and warned other police vehicles in the area to be on the lookout. Shortly after patrolling an area of Somerset Park, the officer was told the driver had been pulled over for drunk driving in the Sunningdale area.

Read also: Drunk driver throws away keys during roadblock

“On his return the officer noticed the driver having an altercation with two other police officers also on duty that night. He tried to drive away and one of the officers grabbed him as he entered the vehicle. The drunk driver then pulled his driver’s door shut on the officer’s hand injuring him. Despite warnings from the officer to open the door, the driver applied more force trying to close the door. The officer suffered tissue damage to his right hand and had to be taken to hospital,” Deokaran said.

The driver was charged for drunken driving, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.

Read also: 37 drunk drivers arrested in five days 

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to keep up-to-date with local news or follow us on WhatsApp on 060 532 5532.