A Virginia state trooper was involved in an incident where an impaired driver hit her patrol vehicle while she was stopped with another motorist for allegedly driving under the influence. Trooper C. Aziz responded to a sedan stopped in the northbound lane of Interstate 495 in Fairfax County at around 3 a.m. The driver of the sedan was refusing to cooperate with the trooper’s requests to exit or move the vehicle to a safer location. While Aziz was dealing with the sedan driver, a Jeep Cherokee struck a tractor-trailer that was stopped in a travel lane due to the sedan being stopped in that location.
The Jeep hit the tractor-trailer with such force that it spun around and struck the trooper’s patrol car, causing the patrol vehicle to hit the sedan and the trooper who was standing outside the sedan’s driver-side door. Dashcam footage from the trooper’s patrol vehicle captured the incident, which left the trooper with only minor injuries. She was taken to Fairfax INOVA Hospital for evaluation. The driver of the Jeep, Joanna Hatch, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
The second driver, Erica Bernard, who was driving the sedan that was stopped on the side of the interstate, was also arrested. Bernard faces multiple charges, including driving under the influence of drugs, obstruction, possession of a Schedule 1 or 2 substance, refusal of a breathalyzer/blood test, and improperly stopping a vehicle on a highway. Both Hatch and Bernard were taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center for processing.
The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of impaired driving and the risks that law enforcement officers face on a daily basis while carrying out their duties. Despite the chaotic scene and the impact on the patrol vehicle, the trooper involved only sustained minor injuries, highlighting the importance of following safety protocols and wearing appropriate protective gear. The dashcam footage provided crucial evidence for law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of the impaired drivers involved in the incident.
Following the incident, the injured trooper is in recovery, and the two impaired drivers are facing legal consequences for their actions. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs endangers not only the driver but also other motorists, law enforcement officers, and pedestrians on the road. By holding individuals accountable for their irresponsible behavior, law enforcement aims to prevent future accidents and protect public safety on the roads. The cooperation of the Fairfax County law enforcement agencies in responding to the incident underscores the collaborative effort to address impaired driving and uphold the rule of law in the community.
