A Destin teenager was arrested for driving under the influence early New Year’s Day after his car collided with an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s patrol car and sent it forward into another agency vehicle.
The accident took place at the intersection of Highway 98 and Triumph Drive. Two OCSO deputies were working a separate traffic crash shortly after midnight and had their emergency lights activated. A disabled car from the first wreck was being loaded onto a tow truck, which had its yellow emergency lights on as well.
Deputies say 19-year old Cody Hauesler hit the rear of one of the patrol cars at the scene, causing disabling damage. The collision then sent that patrol car into a second one. A deputy seated inside the first patrol car was taken by ambulance to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center for treatment of multiple contusions.
Hauseler was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence. Investigators say a breath sample indicated his blood alcohol level was .18.