(Juneau) A Dodge County Sheriff’s Office squad car was struck by a passing vehicle during a traffic stop Thursday morning. The deputy was seated in the squad car doing paperwork on County Highway E between Highway J and Highway 26 with the emergency lights activated.
A passing motorist struck the driver’s side of the squad car, causing damage to the lower half of the vehicle, before striking the rear of the pickup truck that had been stopped for the initial traffic violation.
No one was seriously injured in this crash. The deputy was taken for medical attention and EMS was contacted to respond as a precaution for the driver of the pickup truck that was struck. The driver of the vehicle that struck the squad car was not injured.
This incident is being investigated by the Wisconsin State Patrol.
Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt says this incident is a reminder of how important it is to reduce distractions while driving and that all drivers must move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles. Failure to do so results in a $263.50 citation and three points against your license. More information about this law and its requirements can be found by clicking HERE.
Schmidt says he is proud of the work of his deputies, and in this case, the way this deputy after their squad car was struck, immediately took action to ensure the safety of others involved and those who were passing by. He notes that another deputy was conveniently just down the road and was able to give additional aid that was needed immediately.
