2 Prince George's Officers Narrowly Escape Crash

Two Prince George's County police officers are counting their blessings following a chance encounter with an alleged drunken driver early Saturday morning.

Officer Arkeba Stewart and Cpl. Brian Johnson were directing traffic on the scene of a car accident at about 2 a.m. Saturday in Temple Hills when an SUV came barreling down road and slammed into one of the police cruisers. The impact sent the cruiser flying into another police car and had the officers scrambling for safety.

Stewart said the faces of her children flashed before her eyes as she saw the SUV coming toward her.

Both officers were able to get out of the way. The driver of the SUV, Kevin Perry, was charged with DUI. Police said Perry's blood alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit.

“Officer Stewart and Corporal Johnson were in the right place at the right time,” said Maj. James Harper, commander of the District IV Station. “If they had not placed their cruisers between these citizens and oncoming traffic, it is likely that this drunk driver would have seriously injured or killed one or more people. Our officers put themselves at risk to protect the residents of our county.”

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