An Elkhart police sergeant was responding to a welfare call when his squad car struck a parked vehicle and rolled onto its side Monday night, according to an updated release from the Elkhart Police Department.
The crash happened at about 8:57 p.m. October 13 on West Franklin Street between South Fifth Street and Franklin Court.
Police said Sgt. Jesus Contreras was driving a marked Ford Explorer westbound when it struck an unoccupied Chevrolet Impala parked on the north side of the street. The squad car rolled and came to rest on its driver’s side.
According to the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office crash report, Contreras said he briefly looked away from the roadway for an item. He said he did not have time to brake or slow the vehicle before the crash.
Contreras was responding to a welfare call but was not driving in emergency mode, according to the release. The squad car’s emergency lights and siren were not activated.
Interior camera footage indicated the squad car was traveling about 32 mph to 27 mph immediately before and at the time of the crash, police said. The sheriff’s office identified driver distraction as the primary factor.
Contreras exited the vehicle and was evaluated by Elkhart Fire Department medics before being taken to a hospital. Police said he suffered minor bruising from his seatbelt.
Department policy required Contreras to undergo alcohol and drug screening, including a blood draw, at the hospital. Results are pending. Police said there is currently no indication impairment played a role in the crash.
The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office handled the crash investigation because it involved an Elkhart police officer.
The crash will be reviewed by the department’s Chief’s Review Board, which evaluates crashes involving officers driving city-owned vehicles and makes findings on whether an officer’s actions followed department policy and procedure.