Man crashes into squad car; says he ‘did not like police officers’

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Mo. - A squad vehicle belonging to the Fairview Heights Police Department was intentionally hit by another driver during a traffic stop Tuesday morning.

According to Fairview Heights Police, an officer pulled over a car at Old Collinsville Road for having an expired license plate sticker around 9 a.m. At the time of the incident, officials claim the police vehicle was marked and had its emergency lights on.

While the officer was walking toward the vehicle that was pulled over, a driver, who was in a Gray 2018 Chevrolet Camaro, slammed into the police vehicle from behind. 

Police say the impact of the crash caused the squad car to slam into another vehicle, impaling them together.

Officials say the driver of the Camaro approached the officer and admitted to drinking alcohol and consuming “weed gummies.” Fairview Heights Police also said the man “volunteered” to drive his car into the patrol vehicle because “he did not like police officers.”

Illinois State Police (ISP) were called to the scene and investigated the crash, which was captured on video. The driver of the Camaro was arrested by police and taken to county jail for pending felony charges.

The officer, as well as the occupants in the vehicle during the traffic stop, were not injured, but they were given a warning for the expired license plate. ISP is investigating the incident.