Surveillance video captures alleged drunk driver hitting Yonkers officer

Surveillance video captured a terrifying moment for two Yonkers police officers from the 3rd Precinct on March 1.

News 12 Staff

Mar 8, 2019, 1:09 AM

Updated 2,079 days ago

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Surveillance video captures alleged drunk driver hitting Yonkers officer
Surveillance video captured a terrifying moment for two Yonkers police officers from the 3rd Precinct on March 1.
The traffic camera at the intersection of Morris Street and Riverdale Avenue captured early morning video of a pickup truck seemingly stationary for about 30 minutes. Cars were even seen driving around the vehicle.
When police officers approached the motionless man behind the wheel, they say they realized he was drunk. Authorities say the driver placed the car in reverse and then stepped on the accelerator with the door open, hitting one officer while the other jumped in to stop the vehicle.

The officers were not seriously hurt.
The driver, who was identified as Victor Ruiz-Miguel, was arrested.  Authorities say his blood alcohol content was 0.18 - more than twice the legal limit.
Carole Sears is the president of the Westchester chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.  She says crimes like this are preventable, and that the driver put the officers at risk.

"Two police officers could have been killed just doing their job,” she says. “It’s so preventable, especially these days with Ubers and taxis - and you can walk. There are so many things you can do other than get behind the wheel.”

The two officers are back on the job. Ruiz-Miguel is facing aggravated DWI, a misdemeanor and several citations.