Driver Crashes Into Napa Police Truck, Arrested On DUI Charge: PD

NAPA, CA — A community service officer for the Napa Police Department is recovering from minor injuries suffered in a crash Wednesday night that authorities say involved a DUI driver. The collision happened on Imola Avenue near the Maxwell Bridge, where the CSO had stopped to help a stranded motorist.

Despite having an emergency vehicle with flashing lights and road flares deployed, another motorist crashed into the CSO's truck injuring her, Napa police officials said.

"The motorist who crashed into the CSO truck was evaluated at the scene, determined to be DUI and arrested," police said.

The officer, Thayla Garcia, 26, complained of pain and was taken to the Queen of the Valley Hospital emergency room for evaluation, according to California Highway Patrol Napa Area Public Information Officer Marc Renspurger.

Napa police Sgt. Ryan Cole confirmed the collision and said it happened around 7:40 p.m. Wednesday not long after the CSO arrived on westbound Imola near Gasser Drive.

"While assisting a motorist and blocking traffic with all emergency lights on, she was sitting in her vehicle when she was rear-ended by a driver in a black Honda," Cole said.

California Highway Patrol was called to the scene, and, for impartiality under an agreement between the two agencies, is handling the crash investigation, Cole told Patch.

"We arrived on scene and immediately recognized the driver of the black Honda was impaired, so we requested CHP come and assist with the investigation of the collision and possible DUI," Cole said. "They did arrest the driver of the black Honda for DUI."

Officer Garcia was released from the hospital Wednesday after receiving treatment; she was sore Thursday but in good spirits, Cole said.

CHP identified the Honda driver as Haley Murphy, 34 years old, of Napa.

Murphy was driving her 2017 Honda Accord westbound on Imola and Garcia was seated in the driver seat of the 2016 Ford pickup truck, Renspurger said.

"Garcia was conducting traffic control for a disabled vehicle in a marked Napa Community Service vehicle with the rear amber lights activated," Renspurger said. "Due to Murphy’s intoxicated state, she drove her vehicle into the rear of the community service vehicle ... Murphy was arrested for felony DUI and for driving on a suspended license."