DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A 22-year-old Palm Coast woman was arrested on DUI charges after she struck a Daytona Beach police cruiser, injuring an officer, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
Aubree Juergens, whose blood alcohol level was 0.187%, more than twice the legal limit to drive in Florida, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and DUI causing serious bodily injury, according to authorities. She was released from jail Thursday morning after posting a $3,500 bond, according to jail records.
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The 34-year-old Daytona Beach police officer was taken to a hospital with serious injuries after the crash, which happened around 9 p.m. near LPGA Boulevard and Clyde Morris Boulevard. His condition is not known.
The FHP said Juergens was driving an SUV east on LPGA Boulevard and failed to slow down as she approached a crash site, where a Daytona Beach police cruiser had its emergency lights activated.
The officer was standing near his patrol vehicle while he was investigating the crash and Juergens’ SUV struck the police cruiser, pushing it into the officer, who suffered serious injuries, according to troopers.
“So by the grace of God, he appears to be, you know, recovering. He should make a full recovery, but right now he’s still hospitalized,” Daytona Beach police Chief Jakari Young said during a news conference Thursday.
Young said the officer had facial injuries but would not provide other details of the extent of his injuries.
He said the officer has been with the department at least a few years and that his wife was with him following the crash.
“He was shaken up. He got hit by a car. I think we all would be shaken up if we got hit by a car,” he said.
No other details have been released.