Drunk driver runs red light and crashes into cop car, Fresno police say

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno police say two officers were hurt when a drunk driver slammed into their patrol car. It happened at Shaw and Fruit avenues in Northwest Fresno around 3 a.m. Sunday.

Regina Garcia, 41, was arrested on DUI charges after the crash. Investigators say she was going about 65 mph, when she ran a red light and crashed into the police cruiser, which then collided with a light pole. The car had major damage, but the officers escaped with bumps, bruises and some soreness. Garcia's truck also hit a fire hydrant, causing water to shoot into the sky and flood the intersection.

"The officers stated that the female driver, who is a parolee, attempted to flee the scene, and she was actually revving her engine trying to leave, but her vehicle had been disabled when it struck the fire hydrant," said Lt. Mike Doyle with the Fresno Police Department.

Police say Garcia was on parole for a home-invasion robbery, and she is a known cocaine and meth user. They're waiting on blood test results to see if she had any drugs in her system.

Lt. Doyle says the officers were both wearing seat belts, which likely saved them from serious injuries.