DRIVER HITS POLICE CAR IN SIDE

One Cape Girardeau police car could drive through the intersection of Cape Rock Drive and Lexington Avenue successfully, but not two.

A driver waiting at a stop sign at the intersection failed to notice a patrol car with lights and sirens running and drove into its side on Friday, Cpl. Kevin Orr said.

At approximately 11:50 a.m., the two patrol cars were driving west on Lexington Avenue, both with lights and sirens running. A southbound car driven by John Hohler of Cape Girardeau was stopped on Cape Rock Drive at a stop sign. The driver told police that he saw the first patrol car pull through the intersection, but did not notice the second until it was too late.

Hohler's car hit the patrol car driven by Daniel Seger "in the dead center on the passenger side," Orr said.

Both patrol cars slowed before driving through the intersection, Orr said.

No one was injured in the wreck, but both cars had to be towed away.

No citations have been issued, but the investigation has not yet been completed, Orr said.

Friday's accident was the third this fall involving Cape Girardeau police cars.

On Sept. 24, two police cars collided during a low-speed chase. Patrolman Rollin Roberts had attempted to cut off a man driving away from another patrol car at the intersection of Sprigg and Maple streets. But Roberts' car missed. The two patrol cars struck each other front corner to front corner.

Since then, both patrol cars have been repaired and put back into service, Sgt. J.R. Davis said.

It's likely that the patrol car damaged on Friday can be repaired as well, he said.

Another patrol car that was involved in an accident on Nov. 8 has not been repaired yet. It had been struck at the intersection of Ellis and Independence streets when a driver failed to stop at a stop sign, Lt. Dennis Dolan said.

In total, the police department has 53 vehicles, which includes motor cycles and vans for evidence collection, prisoner transport and drunken driving stops.

Recent Accidents Involving Police Patrol CarsSept. 23: Two patrol cars collided at the intersection of Sprigg and Maple streets during a low-speed chase.

Nov. 8: A patrol car is hit in the intersection of Independence and Ellis streets when another driver runs through a stop sign.

Dec. 3: A patrol car is hit in the intersection of Cape Rock Drive and Lexington Avenue when another driver fails to notice its lights and sirens.