SOLON, Ohio — Solon police confirm one of their officers suffered serious injuries during an incident involving an alleged drunk driver this past Friday night.
According to a release from the department, authorities from both Solon and Glenwillow were investigating a case of reported road rage around 9:30 p.m. when they pulled the two involved vehicles over on Cochran Road near Hall Street. An Amazon delivery van and a silver Nissan Maxima were pulled over on opposite ends of Cochran, and were soon joined by the Amazon worker's supervisor who parked her silver Nissan Sentra behind the van.
As law enforcement took questions, a white BMW X3 came from the south and slammed into the back of the Sentra, sending it forward into the van. Forty-two-year-old Solon Officer Jim Koretsky had been standing in between both vehicles at the time, and his leg was caught in the middle of the automobiles. The Amazon supervisor was in the same area and was struck in the arm by the BMW.
The driver of the BMW, identified as 53-year-old Cleveland Heights resident Thomas Eastman, was unhurt but was observed to have "bloodshot eyes and slurred speech." After apparently admitting to drinking wine and failing field sobriety tests, he was taken to the Solon Jail, where officials say a breathalyzer showed his blood alcohol content level to be .184% (more than twice the legal limit).
Koretsky, a 16-year veteran of the Solon Police Department, will have to undergo surgery to his leg. However, he is expected to make a full recovery.
The Amazon supervisor did not suffer serious injuries to her arm and was released at the scene. The two drivers involved in the alleged road rage incident were not struck.
Eastman faces felony charges of aggravated vehicular assault as well as three misdemeanors including OVI. He appeared in Bedford Municipal Court Monday morning and was released from custody after posting 10% of a $25,000 bond.
