A 33-year-old man with one prior drunk driving conviction is accused of driving drunk and running into two parked and occupied Duluth police squad cars early Wednesday morning.
The suspect is being held in the St. Louis County Jail on preliminary charges of driving while impaired and criminal vehicular operation resulting in injury.
The two officers were shaken up and sustained some facial injuries. They were treated and released from St. Luke's hospital and were expected to return to work Wednesday night, police spokesman Brad Wick said.
The officers -- a 35-year-old, 5½-year veteran of the department and a 29-year-old two-year member -- responded to a burglar alarm at the Lake Superior Treatment Center at 14 E. Central Entrance at 2:15 a.m. and had just arrived when their vehicles were struck by a black 2001 Jeep Cherokee.
Police said the suspect was traveling west on East Palm Street when he struck the rear of the first squad car. The Jeep continued west and struck the front driver's side fender of the second squad. Wick said the vehicles will be inspected today to determine the extent of the damage.
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The suspect attempted to flee the scene of the accidents, but because of the icy roadway wound up getting stuck against a snow bank. He was uninjured, police said.
His blood-alcohol content has not yet been determined. He was less than cooperative at the hospital, Wick said. Two blood collection kits needed to be used because the suspect pulled his arm away while hospital staff was trying to fill a second blood sample tube.
According to Minnesota court records, the suspect was convicted of driving under the influence in 1997.
