Drunk Driver Hits Police Sergeant in Stamford: Cops

A Stamford man is facing charges after allegedly driving drunk and hitting a police sergeant shortly early New Year's Day, according to police.

Police said Edward Salazar-Martinez, 28, of Hope Street in Stamford, was driving northbound on Hope Street around 2 a.m. Thursday when he plowed through a line of traffic cones and hit K-9 Sgt. Richard Phelan, who was responding to an earlier accident.

According to police, Phelan was standing outside his cruiser blocking traffic after a 14-year-old took his parents' car without permission and struck a phone pole at Hope Street and Plymouth Road shortly after midnight, bringing down power lines.

Police said Phelan's car had its emergency lights on and was surrounded by orange traffic cones.

Salazar-Martinez refused a breath teast and failed field sobriety tests at the scene, according to police. He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license and hitting an officer with a motor vehicle.

He was released on $5,000 bond and is due in court Jan. 14.

Police said Phelan suffered a minor leg injury and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

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