Woman arrested after rear-ending patrol car

SPOKANE, Wash. - A 54-year-old woman has been arrested for vehicular assault after police say she rear-ended a patrol car Wednesday afternoon sending a Spokane police officer to the hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

Officer Jeff Graves was on Maple St. just south of Sinto Ave. responding to a call and was sitting in the driver's side of his patrol car when he was rear-ended by Debra Hatcher.

Officers on scene suspected Hatcher may have been under the influence of some kind of substance. A drug recognition expert was called to the scene and based on his assessment, Hatcher was arrested for Vehicular Assault.

In 2008, 39 police officers in the United States died as a result of automobile collisions and hundreds more were injured.

In Washington State there is a "Move Over" law. Motorists approaching a stationary emergency vehicle should yield the right-of-way by making a lane change or moving away from the lane or shoulder occupied by the emergency vehicle. If you are unable to change lanes, you should slow down.

MORE FROM KHQ-TV

KHQ-TV Section Front

Armed robber strikes north Spokane convenience store   Secret Service: officers didn't verify crashers   Prison officials expect increase in rape charges   Smart phone application helps illegal immigrants navigate safely across border   Military divorces edge up again in 9th year of war KHQ-TV Section Front   Add KHQ-TV headlines to your news reader: