Fairfax County police cruiser struck by drunk driver during traffic stop

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A Fairfax County officer is safe after being almost struck during a traffic stop on Friday night.

Fairfax County police posted on Twitter images of a patrol car with the door bent backward (going toward the hood of a car.)

It happened at around 8:30 p.m. Friday in the 2400 Block Sherwood Hall Lane in Alexandria.

Officials say a drunk driver narrowly missed striking the officer during a traffic stop, but the officer was able to turn away from being hit.

"Our officer was in the middle of a traffic stop when he had to turn sideways to avoid a drunk driver who only narrowly missed him and hit his cruiser door. We are thankful he is safe tonight."

The person who struck the patrol car stopped and was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence, as well as a DUI refusal of blood and breath test, both second-degree offenses.