Adams officer hurt in crash
ADAMS TWP — A township police officer was injured early this morning in a two-vehicle wreck caused by a suspected drunken driver, authorities said.
Patrolman Mandy Mudrick, 32, was taken to UPMC Passavant-Cranberry where she was treated for minor injuries and later released.
The wreck happened about 12:05 a.m. when a pickup truck turned in front of Mudrick's patrol car at Route 228 and Heritage Creek Road.
The other driver, Darrin Coulson, 52, of Adams Township, was later arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence, police said.
State police are investigating the crash because it involved an Adams Township officer.
Investigators said Coulson was traveling east on Route 228 in a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado and turned into the path of Mudrick's westbound cruiser.
Police said Coulson was making a left turn onto Heritage Creek Road and the officer had the green light. Authorities said there is a witness to the crash.
Both drivers were able to get out of their severely damaged vehicles, said Bill Hayes, chief of the Adams Area Fire District.
Quality Ambulance also assisted at the scene.
Coulson, who was not hurt, was given a portable breath test, which showed he had alcohol in his system. He was subsequently arrested for DUI and taken for a formal blood-alcohol test.
Mudrick has been a township officer for five to six years, said Bob Scanlon, the department's assistant chief.
Her shift started at 9 p.m. Monday and was to be completed at 7 a.m. today.
