Rockford officer charged with DUI, leaving the scene of an accident put on administrative leave
Posted By Brandon Reid On May 9, 2012 @ 4:30 pm In Happening Now, Local News | 1 Comment
Online Staff Report
Daniel A. Cruz, the 37-year-old Rockford police officer who was charged May 7 with driving under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of a two-vehicle accident that left a woman critically injured, has been put on administrative leave and relieved of his police powers, the City of Rockford announced May 9.
Cruz, a 13-year veteran of the police force and a Machesney Park resident, was arrested on charges of leaving the scene of a personal-injury accident, aggravated DUI, aggravated reckless driving, improper passing, driving in the wrong lane and operating a vehicle without proof of insurance in Boone County.
Cruz was not on duty at the time of the incident.
According to witnesses, Cruz was traveling south on Beloit Road in a gray 2010 Dodge Caravan when he entered the intersection of Town Hall Road. His van then struck a northbound vehicle, believed to be an Oldsmobile, containing four people.
A complaint filed in Boone County Court alleged Cruz left the scene by walking away and was found walking a half-mile from the scene. He reportedly told police he had been consuming alcohol, and the officer described Cruz as having a “strong odor of alcoholic beverage on his breath, bloodshot-glassy eyes, unsteady on his feet and using the squad car for balance.”
Cruz refused all chemical testing, according to Boone County State’s Attorney Michelle Courier. However, a court order was obtained, and Cruz was subjected to a blood draw, although it is unknown how much time elapsed between the time of the incident and the test.
The city stated in a release May 9 that “Because this is an ongoing investigation, the City of Rockford will not offer any additional information on this matter.”
Posted May 9, 2012
Article printed from The Rock River Times: http://rockrivertimes.com
URL to article: http://rockrivertimes.com/2012/05/09/rockford-officer-charged-with-dui-leaving-the-scene-of-an-accident-put-on-administrative-leave/
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