Drunk Driver Hit Loudoun Deputy's Car During Traffic Stop: Police

ASHBURN, VA — A suspected drunk driver crashed into a Loudoun deputy's patrol car during a traffic stop in Ashburn on Saturday morning, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said. Authorities said the deputy had already pulled over an unrelated drunk driver.

The deputy and the driver were not harmed in the crash, authorities said.

Authorities identified the driver of the car that caused the crash as 24-year-old Christian Freeman from Herndon. Freeman is charged with driving while intoxicated and reckless driving. He is being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center pending a bond review.

If convicted of both charges, Freeman could face up to two years in prison, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines.

The crash occurred around 1 a.m. on Saturday near the Route 7 ramp to 28 south in Ashburn, authorities said. A Loudoun deputy had pulled over a suspected drunk driver.

Around 2 a.m., one of the deputies was in their patrol car as they continued their investigation. Then another car crashed into the patrol vehicle with the deputy inside, causing significant damage, the sheriff's office said.

Deputies determined that the driver who caused the crash was also intoxicated. Authorities said the deputy's patrol car had its emergency lights on before the crash.

“This incident highlights the dangers our deputies face every day,” Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman said in a news release. “This could have ended tragically, and we are thankful that both the deputy and the driver were not injured.”

Virginia's drunken driving laws are among the harshest in the nation, the DMV said. If a driver is convicted for a first DUI offense, the minimum punishment includes a $250 fine and a revocation of the driver's license for one year. A DUI conviction can also require the installation of an ignition interlock device. Even fighting a DUI conviction can prove to be costly. According to the Virginia DMV, a DUI can cost between $5,000 and $20,000.

Across the country, 28 people die in drunken driving crashes every day, according to the DMV.

Resources are available for people who are struggling with addiction. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration operates a 24/7 hotline that can help people find resources and get the help they need.