On November 20, 2018, at approximately 9:14 p.m., a Fitchburg Police Officer was assisting with a disabled vehicle on S. Fish Hatchery Road near Brendan Avenue.
The officer was parked behind the disabled vehicle in a lane of travel with its emergency lights activated assisting the motorist when a pickup truck collided with the rear of the fully marked squad. The collision was powerful enough to push the squad car into the back of the disabled vehicle, causing additional damage to the front of the squad.
Both the officer and a passenger conducting a ride along were seated in the squad car during the crash. They were both transported to local area hospitals for treatment and evaluation for various non-life threatening injuries. The squad car is likely a total loss.
The driver of the pickup truck was uninjured, and further investigation determined he was also intoxicated at the time of the crash. He was arrested and taken to the Dane County Jail on two counts of OWI causing Injury (1st offense), and two counts of Operating with a Prohibited Alcohol Concentration causing Injury (1st offense).
ARRESTED: Andrew J. De Marco, 50, of Fitchburg
Prepared By: Sgt. Andrew McCarthy
Phone #: 270-4300
Case: FP18-0015768