WCSO Deputy Hit by Suspected Drunk Driver

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE # 26G013721**

Kristen Duus, PIO 
Greeley Police Department 
970.350.9605 (office) 
Kristen.duus@greeleypd.com 

WCSO Deputy Hit by Suspected Drunk Driver

GREELEY, Colo. – On Saturday, September 26, at approximately 11:05pm, Greeley Police responded to a traffic collision near the intersection of 18th Street and Highway 85.

A Weld County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a suspect vehicle driving recklessly and executing a wide turn across double yellow lines. Although the deputy safely stopped and activated emergency lights, the suspect vehicle failed to stop and collided with the front left quarter of the patrol car. Despite the damage to his vehicle, the deputy maneuvered into position behind the suspect and detained him until Greeley Police officers arrived to assist.

Greeley Police identified the driver as 26-year-old Oscar Lopez Mendoza. A subsequent investigation revealed that Lopez Mendoza was driving with a revoked license due to a prior DUI conviction.

Lopez Mendoza was taken into custody without further incident and booked into the Weld County Jail on charges including Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Driving with a Revoked License, and Careless Driving.

Anyone with information about this crash is asked to contact Officer Josh Franklin at Josh.Franklin@greeleypd.com. This remains an ongoing investigation and all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No further details will be released today.