The driver who allegedly hit a Denver police cruiser late Friday, causing the patrol car to flip and seriously injuring the officer, was charged with careless driving today.
Juanita Manzanares will face one count of careless driving resulting in serious bodily injury and one count of failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.
Police believe Manzanares, 61, was at the wheel of a Jeep Cherokee that turned left into officer Daniel Walton’s patrol car on Federal Boulevard on Friday night. Manzanares told investigators that she was having a medical emergency and didn’t see the officer before she hit him.
Walton was traveling northbound on Federal near West 18th Avenue, responding to a call of an officer needing help. He had his lights and sirens activated, police said.
Walton is currently at Denver Health Medical Center, listed in fair condition.
Manzanares has a court appearance scheduled for Oct. 4.
Staff writer John Ingold can be reached at 720-929-0898 or jingold@denverpost.com.
