JANESVILLE, WI : A Janesville police officer might need surgery to her hand after a crash on Friday, June 23, 2017

A Janesville police officer might need surgery to her hand after a crash between her squad car and a car driven by a man suspected of running a red light Thursday night, Police Chief Dave Moore said Friday.

The other car was traveling at high speed, and witnesses said it did not brake, Moore said.

Officer Jennifer Wehmas suffered a broken hand, according to a criminal complaint filed in Rock County Court on Friday.

Her injuries could have been greater if the impact had been to the side of the squad car instead of the front, Moore said.

A medical evaluation will help determine how soon Wehmas will be able to return to work, Moore said.

The driver of the other car, Bryan W. Gardner, 43, of 11 S. Fremont St., Janesville, was charged Friday with second-offense intoxicated driving while causing injury.

The crash happened at 9:54 p.m. Thursday at the Five Points intersection. Wehmas was traveling north through the intersection from Milwaukee Street to Court Street, and witnesses said she had a green light, according to a police news release.

Gardner was driving north on Center Avenue, entered the intersection on a red light and struck the front of the officer's squad car, the news release states.

Wehmas was transported to St. Mary's Janesville Hospital for injuries and was treated and released.

The State Patrol investigated the crash.

Gardner was held on a $500 cash bond after his initial court appearance Friday. He was ordered not to drink or drive while his case is pending.

Source :
Janesville police officer injured in traffic crash