Police officers have to deal with DUIs often. Even so, they are not immune to making the same mistake that they arrest civilians for committing. One Las Vegas police officer is facing a litany of charges in connection with DUI and hit-and-run offenses.
After allegedly being involved in three hit-and-run crashes on Saturday, July 16, a long time Las Vegas Metro Police officer was arrested.
The department confirmed that Antonio Munoz, 39, was arrested on at least two felony and multiple misdemeanor charges. The Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) made the arrest. The crashes occurred on northbound Interstate 15 near Sahara Avenue.
Munoz was observed by an NHP officer driving on the shoulder of the road. Munoz ran a red light and failed to stop at a stop sign as he exited on Charleston Boulevard.
The arresting trooper noticed that the Yukon Munoz was driving had sustained damage and looked like it had been in an accident. The trooper also detected the smell of alcohol in the car. Munoz denied having any alcohol at dinner and told the trooper that he had cancer.
The arrest report indicated that Munoz failed several sobriety tests and had a blood-alcohol level of 0.12 percent.
Munoz initially refused a blood draw test, but a warrant was secured. He then told authorities that he had only hit one vehicle.
Further investigation revealed that Munoz was actually involved in three hit-and-run accidents before the trooper stopped him.
The first accident involved a red Buick. A male passenger in that vehicle was transported to a hospital with serious injuries. The second accident involved a silver Acura. No one was transported in that crash. The third accident involved a black Kia where an occupant suffered minor injuries.
Munoz is facing charges of felony DUI with substantial bodily harm, felony leaving the scene of an accident, 2 counts misdemeanor hit-and-run property damage, 3 counts misdemeanor failure to use due care, 3 counts misdemeanor failure to give information or render aid, and several misdemeanor traffic violations.
Bail was set at $100,000. If he makes bail, Munoz will be required to wear an alcohol monitoring device. He has been with the department since 2000. He was not on duty at the time of the crash.
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