Denver Officer Hit By Suspected Drunk Driver Has Fractured Spinal Cord

DENVER (CBS4) - The injuries sustained by a Denver police officer who was hit by a suspected drunk driver are worse than originally thought.

The officer, Dan Swint, had pulled over another suspected drunk driver Friday morning on Interstate 25 near 38th Avenue. That's when another vehicle slammed into his cruiser, causing a chain reaction crash.

CBS4 has learned the officer suffered a broken jaw, spinal cord fracture and five broken ribs.

"There was no pre-impact evidence of braking or swerving," said Denver Police Sgt. Mike Farr.

Police say Heidi Jewell, 28, was drunk when she crashed into the patrol car. The charges against her also include vehicular assault.

Another vehicle also crashed into Jewell's SUV for a total of four collisions.

According to the initial police report, Jewell failed multiple roadside tests after the crash and refused to voluntarily take a blood test.

Jewell has a previous DUI arrest but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. She is scheduled to appear before a judge later this month.