Drugged driving crash injures officer

HUDSON — A Hudson police officer was injured Wednesday when his police car was struck by an allegedly drugged driver, Chief Edward Moore said.

City police were called to the intersection of North Sixth and Columbia streets for a two-car crash involving a police vehicle at 3:08 p.m.

Monish D. Patel, 18, of Hudson was driving a 2016 black Honda Accord when he struck Officer Jacob Hoffman’s police vehicle in the intersection, Moore said.

Hoffman, who is the department’s school resource officer for the Hudson City School District, was driving a city-owned 2000 BMW sedan decorated with an American flag paint job and anti-drug messaging at the time of the crash. The “D.A.R.E.” vehicle was seized from a drug dealer.

Patel complained of pain but declined medical treatment at the scene, the chief said. His passenger, a 16-year-old boy from Hudson, reported no injuries but was taken to Columbia Memorial Hospital to be evaluated.

Hoffman suffered unspecified injuries and was also taken to Columbia Memorial.

“It appears the injuries are minor, and it certainly could have been worse,” Moore said.

Patel has been charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, unlawful possession of marijuana and several vehicle and traffic law violations.

Hudson police and state troopers are investigating the incident, the chief said.