Distracted driver crashes into back of Spokane patrol car, police say

Oct. 31--A distracted driver rear-ended a Spokane police officer's patrol car Thursday morning, according to the Spokane Police Department.

The officer was stopped behind a van at Trent Avenue and Waterworks Street around 7:30 a.m., when he saw a car approaching quickly in his rearview mirror. The officer could not move forward due to the van in front of him, a police statement said.

Police say the vehicle hit the back of the officer's patrol car, pushing the patrol car into the van.

The police car was totaled, and the vehicle that hit it sustained significant damage.

The driver of the vehicle told police she was looking at her GPS and distracted by her cellphone but did not appear to be otherwise impaired.

The officer was transported to the hospital for back and neck pain and has since been treated and released.

The driver was ticketed for following too close, cell phone device distraction and liability insurance required.

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