An Erie man is arrested after rear-ending a police car while allegedly driving under the influence.

Police Chief Rick Lorah said that although the officer in the car that was hit has since been released from the hospital, he is suffering from minor injuries.

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The accident happened at the intersection of West 12th Street and Lincoln Avenue early sunday morning, just after 1 am.

An officer from the City of Erie police department was traveling westbound on 12th Street on routine patrol. As he was stopped at the light, that’s when the alleged suspect hit the police cruiser at what investigators called a high rate of speed.

Fnu Raman, 30, of Erie, has been arrested after hitting the police cruiser allegedly under the influence.

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According to Chief Lorah, the officer did notice how fast this car was driving while looking in his rear-view mirror and he attempted to react by moving out of the way, but the car still ended up smashing into the back of the cruiser.

Lorah said this was a severe accident, disabling both vehicles. He said their cruiser might be totaled … Both the officer and driver were taken to the hospital and have since been released.

“If you believe you’re going to be out downtown and you’re going to be drinking, please make sure you have a designated driver. It’s not worth it. Obviously, this individuals in a lot of trouble, not just for hitting a police officer but because you’re driving under the influence and you caused a major accident, where he’s lucky he wasn’t killed and he didn’t kill the person involved,” Chief Lorah told us.

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The suspect has been arrested and is facing several charges, including driving under the influence, as well as reckless and careless driving.

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