Seattle parking enforcement officer hurt by DUI suspect

SEATTLE — Seattle police officials said a parking enforcement officer was hurt when they were hit by a DUI suspect Friday.

Shortly before 1 p.m., an officer driving a PEO scooter was heading east on East Denny Way, approaching Broadway East. The officer stopped for traffic mid-block while waiting for a red light to change.

Investigators said a 1998 Jeep Cherokee heading west suddenly veered into the eastbound lane, hitting the stopped PEO scooter.

The impact caused the PEO scooter to hit an empty car parked next to the curb. The officer was hurt and taken to Harborview Medical Center.

Police said the driver of the Jeep, a 54-year-old man, showed signs of being impaired and was arrested for investigation of vehicular assault.

SPD’s Traffic Collision Investigation Squad was called to the scene. At the end of investigation, it was determined that the officer’s injuries were not serious enough to warrant a felony-level charge.

The Jeep driver was processed for suspicion of DUI and was expected to be booked into the King County Jail.

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