DUI Driver Sends 2 Branford Police Officers to the Hospital: Police

Branford, CT — Two police officers, who were responding to an emergency call, were struck by a vehicle driven by an allegedly intoxicated driver, police said in a new release.

Capt. Geoffrey Morgan said two officers were injured in the Thursday evening crash.

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The crash occurred just before 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of North Main and Cedar streets, police said.

Officer Ryan Gotowala was proceeding through the intersection in his police cruiser, westbound on North Main Street, with Officer Brett Johnson as a passenger, Morgan said.

Their cruiser was struck by a 2016 Audi, traveling southbound on Cedar Street, driven by Jeffrey Murchison, 59, of Maple Street in Branford, police said.

Both officers were treated at the scene by Branford Fire Department Paramedics and later transported to Yale New Haven Hospital for their injuries.

Murchison refused treatment at the scene and was later taken into custody and transported to Police Headquarters were he was charged with operating while under the influence.

He was released on a Written Promise to Appear in New Haven Superior Court on July 27.

Photo credit: Branford Police Department