4 Police Officers Hurt in DUI Accidents

Dangerous weekend for patrol officers

A total of four Philadelphia police officers were hurt over the weekend in two separate drunk driving accidents. One is in critical condition.

Late Sunday night an SUV slammed into a police cruiser right in front of St.Christopher's Hospital. Both officers -- a man and woman -- were treated and released. Gilberto Riviera, 47, of Chester, Pa., was arrested and charged with several charges including DUI and Reckless Endangerment.

The most serious accident was early Sunday morning when two officers were hit by a pickup truck during a traffic stop along Aramingo Avenue in the Frankford section of the city.

Officers Richard Hayes and George Higginson were searching the car of a man suspected of driving under the influence when the truck sideswiped their cruiser and slammed into the stopped car.

"We're very fortunate that the officers weren't killed right there at the scene," Police Commissioner Charles Ramsay said.

Both officers are still hospitalized. Hayes is in critical condition. He's in a drug-induced coma with head trauma and two broken legs.

The pickup truck driver was charged with DUI and related offenses.

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