Mattawa man charged after hitting cop cruiser

(Mattawa)
A 30-year-old Mattawa man has been charged by the Ontario Provincial Police following a collision early this morning between a motorist and an OPP vehicle.

Police said OPP constable Steve Johnson, of the Mattawa detachment, was driving his cruiser eastbound on Valois Drivewhen a westbound vehicle crossed into the eastbound lane striking the car.

Both vehicles were severely damaged in the collision, and the Mattawa Fire Department had to use the jaws of life to extricate Johnson from his cruiser.

Johnson was admitted to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Michael Meilleuri, is in custody and has been charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm. Additional charges may be laid pending further investigation.

O.P.P. Reconstructionists and Forensic Identification Units were called in to assist in the investigation.