A Gainesville Police officer is in stable condition after a man reportedly crashed into his patrol car Sunday.
Just after 3:30 a.m., Cpl. Matthew Walters was helping another officer investigate a crash at the 1900 block of West University Avenue. He was inside his patrol car with his lights on to warn oncoming traffic about the crash when Steven Joe Norman Jr., 24, tried to pass him and hit the passenger’s side of the car, according to a police report. Norman then drove away.
Medical technicians took Walters to UF Health Shands Hospital with neck and back injuries, according to the report. Gainesville Police said Monday the injuries were not serious and he was recovering at home.
About two hours after the crash, deputies from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office found Norman and his car outside his house, located at 309 NW 30th St. A hole in the car’s front bumper matched a piece of bumper embedded in the side of Walter’s patrol car, fitting “like a puzzle piece,” according to the report.
There was also white paint and part of a blue decal on the driver’s side of the car, which police said matched the striping on police cars.
Authorities could smell alcohol on Norman’s breath, according to the report.
After he was arrested, Norman told police he drank at a party but was driven home by a friend.
He then admitted to driving home but denied the crash.
A breath test showed Norman’s blood alcohol content levels to be .206 and .210. He also failed a sobriety test.
He was then arrested for drunk driving, according to the report.
Police arrested Norman on charges of hit and run, DUI with damage to property and resisting an officer without violence.
Officers took him to the Alachua County Jail, where he remained as of press time in lieu of a $40,000 bond.
[A version of this story ran on page 8 on 2/24/2015 under the headline “Officer stable after man crashes into car']
