Driver accused of drunkenly hitting Albuquerque officer

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Albuquerque police say an officer is recovering after a drunk driver plowed into his vehicle on the freeway.

Police spokesman Simon Drobik said Sunday that Officer Nathan Sweeten was “extremely sore” but has since been released from a hospital.

The collision happened Saturday night as the officer was looking into reports of a pedestrian death on I-40 near Louisiana Avenue.

Drobik says the suspected drunk driver hit Sweeten while he was seated in his patrol car.

KOAT-TV reports authorities identified the driver as 21-year-old Kyla Martinez. She is expected to be booked on a charge of DWI.

Sweeten has been with the department for two years.