Northwood police officer injured in crash on I-280

10/27/2012

A Northwood police officer assisting at the scene of a crash in Oregon was injured Friday night when his patrol car was rear-ended on I-280 by a driver who has been charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Officer Michael Schwanbeck was treated at Bay Park Hospital, according to Northwood Police Department.

Charged in the incident is Melody Bower, 33, of Northwood, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol.

The officer was assisting Oregon police with a crash. His cruiser was stopped in the right lane of I-280 southbound, south of Navarre Avenue, with emergency lights activated when it was struck in the rear by a southbound car traveling in the right lane at about 11:45 p.m., according to the patrol.

The southbound lanes of I-280 were closed for about 30 minutes.

Both the officer and Ms. Bower wore seat belts, according to the patrol, which said she was not injured. In addition to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, she was charged with failure to maintain an assured clear distance ahead.