DUI suspect rear-ends LASD patrol car with deputy inside

[Stugotz]

I've heard it mentioned here before. Evidently those flashing lights do attract drunk drivers...

Suspected drunk driver rear-ends squad car

By Susannah Rosenblatt, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
9:06 AM PST, January 11, 2008

A suspected drunk driver rear-ended a Los Angeles County sheriff's squad car Thursday night in Lakewood, dazing the deputy inside the vehicle, authorities said.

The deputy had pulled over another car on a freeway ramp to make a routine traffic stop and was preparing to get out of his vehicle at the time of the 10:30 p.m. accident.

The driver suspected of striking the squad car, Ammon Aiono, 27, of Lynwood had an open beer container in his car cup holder, sheriff's officials said. Aiono allegedly slammed into the squad car that was stopped at a northbound 605 Freeway on-ramp north of East Carson Street, pushing it into the car the deputy had pulled over, said Lt. Jim Tatreau of the Lakewood sheriff's station.

No one was injured in the accident; the deputy "was dazed -- he came back to his senses quickly and called for help," Tatreau said.

California Highway Patrol officers arrested Aiono on suspicion of driving under the influence and drinking alcohol from an open container, Tatreau said.

The squad car, Tatreau said, won't be "moving for a while."

[LA DEP]

I got hit twice by DUI's while working patrol....close friend of mine has been hit 4 times....three on duty; one off duty on the way home.

I narrowly missed getting creamed by a duece right before I transferred. About 2-3 seconds slower, and I would have probably been dead.

We get ALOT of Deps hit every year by DUI and just basically careless drivers. It is the second highest cause of fatals for us; and probably the highest for medical retirements

[andy5746]

I hate DUI's. It's one of the most reckless, selfish thing someone can do. I only wish we didn't have to jump through so many hoops and kill so many trees for all the forms to fill out. But I do, it's worth my time. I've been hit by drunks twice already, both tried to flee the scene, both caught by yours truly. Glad the deputy is O.K.

[Yoni]

crazys! an 18yo boy in my community (some what family friend) told me he hated me and and "f-u" because i decided i want to join the lasd. why does this boy hate the police so much? turns out this punk was pulled over, had his car impounded and was arrested for driving drunk. oh and don't forget the weed he was caught with too. but it's the cops he hates for making such a dumb decision! i gave him a mouth full about how he may have killed somebody a block down. what if it was his mother? or his new baby brother? the boy just shut up and his friends were shocked. (i heard later from a boy that was there that they gave him cr@p about it all night)

[Stugotz]

crazys! an 18yo boy in my community (some what family friend) told me he hated me and and "f-u" because i decided i want to join the lasd. why does this boy hate the police so much? turns out this punk was pulled over, had his car impounded and was arrested for driving drunk. oh and don't forget the weed he was caught with too. but it's the cops he hates for making such a dumb decision! i gave him a mouth full about how he may have killed somebody a block down. what if it was his mother? or his new baby brother? the boy just shut up and his friends were shocked. (i heard later from a boy that was there that they gave him cr@p about it all night)

What a retard that kid is. Can't excuse it even if he's young, naive, and probably watches a lot of that dumbsh*t "ganksta rap" lifestyle on MTV.

[Yoni]

What a retard that kid is. Can't excuse it even if he's young, naive, and probably watches a lot of that dumbsh*t "ganksta rap" lifestyle on MTV.

funny you say that... he's actually the wanabe gangsta/ rocker type. but it was no big deal. i really didn't pay much attention to it. i'm proud of what i want to be.