Off-duty Charleston police officer wrecks patrol car, faces DUI charge
A Charleston police officer faces a drunken-driving charge after crashing her patrol car early Sunday on Johns Island, according to state troopers.
Officer Sarah Fortier, who was not on duty, was hospitalized after the wreck, but the extent of her injuries was not known. She was placed on unpaid leave, Charleston Police Department spokesman Charles Francis said.
The 31-year-old was driving her cruiser, a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria, west on Main Road when it first drifted into the ditch near St. John’s High School, S.C. Highway Patrol Cpl. Bob Beres said. Fortier overcorrected, Beres said, and the car then crashed into the left-hand ditch around 12:37 a.m.
Fortier was not wearing a seat belt.
A Charleston police officer by the same name was involved in a crash downtown in January 2009 after she was dispatched to a 911 hang-up. The officer’s cruiser was crossing Meeting Street and was struck by another vehicle, sending the police car into a home’s porch.
An accident report said the officer in that case failed to yield the right of way and contributed to the collision.
The owner of the damaged home then fought with the city’s insurer for repair money.
Comments { }
Postandcourier.com is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. Postandcourier.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full Terms and Conditions.