At approximately 3:00 a.m. on May 19, a Seattle police officer was driving northbound on 3rd Avenue Northwest when another vehicle collided with his marked police vehicle. The officer reported that the vehicle was driving westbound when it suddenly cut across traffic and hit the officer's car. The driver allegedly did not stop.

The driver, an unidentified female, was arrested near NW Market Street and 15th Avenue NW. She was taken to jail on a drunk driving charge. It was not stated whether she would be charged with hit and run or what led police to believe that she may have been under the influence. It is unknown whether she performed field sobriety tests, and her blood alcohol levels were not disclosed.

No injuries were reported as a result of the collision. No other cars were involved.

A person who is convicted of driving under the influence may be sentenced to pay fines, serve time in jail or attend an alcohol abuse program. The driver's privilege to drive will also be suspended. A criminal defense attorney may be able to assist by negotiating an agreement that minimizes some of these consequences or that focuses on treatment rather than punishment. When a person is stopped while operating a car, an attorney may also be able to challenge the grounds for the stop, any statements made by the driver or any searches that result. It may be possible to suppress any blood tests performed on a driver without a valid search warrant. An attorney can also force the state to go to trial and prove all charges against a person beyond a reasonable doubt to help ensure that the accused person's constitutional rights are respected.

Source: komonews.com, "Suspected drunk driver hits police car and flees in N. Seattle", May 19, 2013