A police officer was uninjured after a drunk driver crashed into a squad car during a traffic stop on Route 12 in Lake Zurich Tuesday evening, police officials said.
A Lake Zurich police squad car was struck by a passing vehicle around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Route 12 and June Terrace.
Lake Zurich Deputy Police Chief Colin Gaffney said the police officer was conducting a traffic stop in the right lane on Route 12.
The squad had its emergency lights activated and the officer was out of the car.
A Honda traveling southbound failed to yield to the police car and struck the driver’s side of the emergency vehicle, Gaffney said.
Bodycam video captured the crash and showed the officer walking back to the squad after interacting with the driver of the vehicle that had been stopped.
The officer waited a moment before walking to the driver’s side of the squad after seeing the oncoming vehicle, which ended up drifting in the snow and striking the police car, the video showed. No injuries occurred in the crash.
The driver of the Honda, Christine Lamanna, 60, of McHenry, was arrested and charged after it was determined she was operating under the influence of alcohol, Gaffney said.
Lamanna was charged with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol, unlawful use of a weapon, failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash, improper lane usage, unlawful transportation of liquor by a driver, operating an uninsured vehicle and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.
The Lake Zurich Police Department said they remind the public of the requirements of the Move Over Law, also known as “Scott’s Law.”
Drivers are required to slow down and move over when approaching an emergency vehicle with emergency lights activated.
A person who violates Scott’s Law faces a fine of $250 to $10,000 for a first offense.
People are also encouraged to use designated drivers or rideshare services if alcohol is a part of their holiday celebrations, Gaffney said.