Jun 29, 2009 10:31 pm US/Eastern
3 Crashes Leave 5 Philadelphia Officers Injured
Suspects In Custody For Alleged DUI
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
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Two Philadelphia Police officers were injured in a crash near A and Erie Avenues just after 11 p.m. on June 28.
CBS
In less than 24 hours, three crashes involving a driver allegedly under the influence left five Philadelphia Police officers injured.
Police said two officers were hurt when an SUV collided into their cruiser at A and Erie Avenues in Hunting Park just after 11 p.m. Sunday night.
Neither officer was seriously injured in the crash. They were both treated and released at Temple University Hospital.
The driver of the SUV was taken into custody for suspicion of driving under the influence.
Hours earlier, two officers with the 24th District were injured after they were struck during a traffic stop in the 4200 block of Aramingo Avenue.
Officer George Higginson, 25, and Officer Richard Hayes, 28, were searching a vehicle when it was struck by a Honda Ridgeline at about 1:30 a.m.
Police said the SUV sideswiped the officers' cruiser before slamming into the suspect's vehicle.
Officer Higginson was rushed to Hahnemann Hospital University where he was treated for lacerations to his face.
Officer Hayes was taken to Frankford-Torresdale Hospital where he remains in critical condition with a severe head injury and serious facial injuries.
The driver stopped prior to the crash was arrested for DUI and a passenger is also facing charges after attempting to flee.
The driver of the Ridgeline, 20-year-old John Cusick of Bristol, Pa., is also facing charges of DUI, aggravated assault and related offenses.
In addition, a fifth officer was slightly injured following an incident involving an alleged drunk driver early Sunday morning. The officer suffered minor injuries following the accident in the 2800 block of N. Taylor Street. The driver was taken into custody and is facing numerous charges.
All three crashes remain under investigation.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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