DENNIS — A Dennis Police Department vehicle was involved in a motor vehicle crash Tuesday night on Lower County Road near the intersection of Lighthouse Road in West Dennis, police said.
The crash occurred at approximately 10:15 p.m. when a second vehicle drifted into the eastbound lane and struck the police cruiser on the driver’s side, causing extensive damage, according to the department.
Two Dennis police officers initially reported they were unable to exit the vehicle due to the damage but eventually freed themselves and checked on the driver of the second vehicle.
The driver, identified as Jefferson Valle-Chavez, 20, of West Harwich, was transported to Cape Cod Hospital by the Dennis Fire Department for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
The officer operating the police vehicle was also treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Cape Cod Hospital and later released.
An investigation determined the police cruiser had been traveling east on Lower County Road when the westbound vehicle drifted into the opposite lane.
The officer was able to steer away to avoid a head-on collision, but the cruiser was still struck, police said.
Valle-Chavez is being charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stay within marked lanes and speeding.
He will be summoned to Orleans District Court at a later date.
