DAYTON — The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and AAA says St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest times of the year on the road.
>>WATCH: Dayton police officer hurt after cruiser hit by suspected drunk driver on St. Patrick’s Day
News Center 7′s Kayla McDermott says a possible drunk driver crashed into an officer while he was in his cruiser just an hour and half into the holiday.
An officer was stopped at a red light on Wayne Avenue when a supposed drunk driver slammed into the back of his cruiser and sent the pair to a hospital.
Cruiser cam video shows another Dayton Police officer getting out to check on the man who just crashed into the back of his cruiser. The man, who police believe is drunk, was bleeding from his mouth and the officer helps him walk away from the car.
>>Drunk-driving checkpoints scheduled throughout Miami Valley for St. Patrick’s Day
“Are you okay?” the officer asked the man.
McDermott says you can see in the video damage done to both cars and hear a loud sound less than two hours into St. Patrick’s Day on Friday.
“We know that folks are going to be out visiting some of he local alcohol establishments and things like that,” said Captain Andy Flagg, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. “Our problems come from those making the poor decision.”
Decisions like drinking and driving but deputies are not the only ones concerned.
AAA says St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest days of the year.
“Don’t be the reason someone, including yourself, doesn’t get home,” said Kara Hitchens, AAA Miami Valley.
McDermott says in a study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association more than 280 people died in drunk driving related crashes nationally between 2016 and 2020 over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend. 37 of them happened in 2020 alone.
>>Ohio State Highway Patrol urges drivers celebrating St. Patrick’s Day to designate sober driver
Montgomery County deputies have already made arrests this year on State Route 725.
“So far in 2023, we’ve had three OVI arrests and one of those involved a crash,” said Flagg.
There were nearly 130 drunk driving crashes with four fatalities over the holiday last year in Ohio, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
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There was one last year after St. Patrick’s Day where the driver had a blood alcohol content of .252 which is more than 3 times the legal limit.
McDermott says to stop this, there will OVI checkpoints set up in the Miami Valley, one of which is in Montgomery County.
“We want everybody to stop and think about what they’re doing before they make a bad decision tonight, said Flagg. “And then we’re going to be out looking for signs of impaired drivers on our roadways. And we’re going to be taking enforcement action against that.”
The checkpoint will go on tonight from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. on State Route 725 and Paragon Road.
If you see a suspected drunk driver, you are encouraged to call 911 or #677.