DES MOINES – A man already busted once this year for drunk driving might have been tipping back on the good stuff once again before sideswiping a patrol car and slamming into the back of another vehicle Christmas evening.
On December 25th, just before 9:00 p.m. a Polk County deputy reported that his patrol car was sideswiped by another vehicle while he was conducting an unrelated traffic stop near the 3900 block of NE Broadway. The vehicle continued eastbound for a short distance before rear-ending another vehicle at the intersection of NE Broadway and Hubbell Avenue, where it came to a stop.
The driver, 23-year-old Casey Sledge of Des Moines was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. No one else was injured, including the deputy involved.
The accident remains under investigation; however alcohol may be a contributing factor, law enforcement said. So far, Sledge is only charged with traffic offenses in the case.
Sledge pleaded guilty earlier this year to first offense operating while intoxicated, out of Polk county. He just completed paying off the $1,837.50 in fines and court costs in that case.