Hospitalized Dallas police officer will soon be charged with DWI
Dallas, Texas – A police officer from the Dallas Police Department who is currently hospitalized following an accident in which he crashed his vehicle into a tree will be facing DWI charges after recovering from injuries sustained in the crash.
The crash took place shortly before 1 a.m. on Thursday in the 6900 block of Russell Curry Road in Arlington when a white Dodge Ram pickup operated by the Dallas police officer, 48-year-old Michael Patino, went off the road and collided with a tree.
Officers from the Arlington Police Department were sent to the scene to investigate the crash. According to the findings of the investigation, officers were convinced that alcohol played a major role in the crash and said a driving while intoxicated charge would be brought against the driver.
Due to the serious injuries Patino sustained in the crash, he was taken to a hospital by air medical services.
Arlington police said they plan to file a DWI charge against the Dallas police officer as soon as he gets out of the hospital.
Dallas police say that Patino has been put on administrative leave while the investigation is going on.
Patino has been a member of the Dallas Police Department for over 20 years.