By Bill Lindelof
blindelof@sacbee.com
A suspected drunken driver allegedly rammed an Auburn police car twice after he nearly entered the freeway in the wrong direction.
Police said that about 10:30 p.m. Thursday, a man driving an older Chevrolet pickup northwest on Lincoln Way in Old Town Auburn failed to stop at a stop sign at Maple Street. At that point, the driver turned west onto the eastbound Interstate 80 offramp.
Auburn Police Sgt. Dale Hutchins said he observed the driver's actions and activated his emergency lights. The officer also positioned his vehicle behind the pickup as the man made a U-turn on the onramp.
At that point, according to Hutchins, the driver stopped his vehicle and put the pickup in reverse, striking the right front portion of the patrol car. The pickup then went forward, police said, before rapidly accelerating in reverse again, striking Sgt. Hutchins' car.
The driver drove back into Old Town, pursued by three Auburn police department units, finally stopping at 150 Sacramento Street. At that point, Eric David Hill, 22, was taken into custody by Officer Gary Hopping.
He was booked on suspicion of assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon and driving under the influence. Sgt. Hutchins was not injured.
Call The Bee's Bill Lindelof, (916) 321-1079.









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