PINELLAS PARK — A police officer and his police dog were injured Thursday night after their patrol car was struck by a drunk driver.
At almost 11 p.m., Officer Dave Janovich, 37, and canine partner, Bronson, were stopped in a marked 2004 Crown Victoria on southbound 49th Street N at the Lake Boulevard red light. A 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis, driven by 48-year-old Michael Holtzman of Pinellas Park, slammed into the police car from the back, knocking it forward about 70 feet, police said.
Janovich called backup officers to check on Bronson, who was taken to a local emergency veterinarian clinic and released after X-rays showed no broken bones. Janovich was taken to a local hospital for possible back and neck injuries and released soon after. Holtzman was not injured.
Police said witnesses reported Holtzman driving too fast, and a breath test showed his blood-alcohol content to be between 0.234 and 0.246. Drivers are deemed impaired beyond 0.08.
Holtzman was taken to the Pinellas County Jail and charged with one count of DUI with injury.
News
