DUI drivers crash into Watsonville patrol cars on Black Friday

Several Watsonville police cars were struck by two separate drunk drivers on Black Friday.

The Watsonville Police Department said the incidents happened only 30 minutes apart.

The first DUI crash happened around 1 a.m. on Main Street and S. Green Valley Road.

Officers were responding to a call when 26-year-old Alexis Colimonte rammed his red Toyota Tundra into a patrol car.

WPD said Colimonte left the scene and sped towards Highway 1 and crashed a second time near Westridge Business Park.

“Remember, impaired drivers can’t think clearly and that’s why they should never get behind the wheel. Officers ordered Colimote to get out of his truck and while doing so, he tried to run away but was quickly arrested,” said WPD spokeswoman Michelle Pulido.

Colimonte was driving with a suspended license and had a misdemeanor warrant for his arrest for a prior DUI in Santa Clara County.

Colimonte was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail for hit-and-run, DUI, warrant and making threats towards officers.

The second crash of the night happened on the 400 block of Main Street.

26-year-old Ariel Sanchez crashed his Honda into two Watsonville patrol cars. Sanchez is facing DUI charges.

None of the officers or the suspects suffered serious injuries.