NHP officer injured after vehicle hit by driver allegedly under the influence

A Nevada Highway Patrol officer suffered minor injuries after being hit by a driver who was allegedly under the influence at the intersection of Highway 395 and State Route 88 early Saturday morning.

NHP Trooper Dan Lopez was driving a Ford Crown Victoria sedan patrol call when the driver of another vehicle allegedly ran a red traffic signal at the intersection striking the left side of the patrol car at 5:19 a.m., said NHP Trooper Chuck Allen. The incident is under investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. The driver that hit the trooper was arrested at the scene for DUI. He is identified as Andrew Irvin, 41, of Gardnerville, displayed objective symptoms of intoxication and being under the influence of drugs (marijuana).

A DUI investigation was conducted, and Irvin was subsequently arrested and booked for the following charges: DUI - Alcohol/Drugs, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device (signal light). Irvin was later released on Saturday night after posting $2,287.00 bail.

NHP Sgt. Dean Buell transported Trooper Lopez from the crash scene to Carson Valley Medical Center in Gardnerville where he was treated and released and is recovering at home, Allen said. Trooper Lopez is a five-year veteran with NHP and is assigned to the Carson City and Minden areas. He also serves as one of the public information officers for NHP-Northern Command West. Prior to joining NHP, Trooper Lopez spent 15 years working for the Nevada Department of Transportation.