SOUTH BEND, Ind. — An off-duty firefighter who was hit by a drunk driver last Saturday is in stable condition.
WNDU reported that Oswaldo Menedez, 41, now faces felony charges for causing serious bodily injury while operating a vehicle while intoxicated. When officers stopped him and have him a breathalyzer, he tested at 0.15, which is almost twice the legal limit of 0.08.
If convicted, he could face between 6 months and two and a half years in prison with a fine of $10,000.
According to officials, firefighter Mike Kowalski, who has been with the South Bend Fire Department since 1977, was stopped at a red light when Mendez hit him from behind. Kowalski’s vehicle was pushed into another vehicle that was waiting to turn in the intersection.
Kowalski was left unconscious after the incident and taken to a hospital for treatment of a possible brain injury.
Mendez is expected in court for an initial hearing on Feb. 10.