MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman and another Milwaukee police officer were in a car crash Monday morning.
The other officer is a 56-year-old male who has been with Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) for 28 years.
Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is investigating the collision.
The incident occurred at North 68th Street and West Silver Spring Drive.
Norman and the MPD officer were in an unmarked police SUV leaving a reckless driving awareness event in District 4 at the time of the crash. They were stopped at a redlight, facing east, according to MCSO preliminary findings.
A dump truck driver approached the redlight behind them and attempted to stop, but did not. The driver swerved to the left in an effort to not hit the unmarked squad car, but still collided with it, according to MCSO preliminary findings.
MCSO said the driver was not able to avoid hitting the police vehicle.
"The driver of the dump truck, which is owned by an area landscaping company, stated that his brakes 'went out' as he attempted to stop. A subsequent inspection of the truck confirmed that its two rear brakes failed, while the front brakes malfunctioned," MCSO said.
MCSO said reckless driving was not a factor in the crash. The driver of the dump truck vehicle remained on scene. MPD said the driver is being cooperative.
The landscaping company that owns the truck was issued a citation. The truck was taken offline, per MCSO, for four break violations, including: No/defective brake warning device or pressure gauge, brake-air leaking from the air chamber, brakes out of service inoperative/defective brakes.
In order for the truck to be operated again, all violations will have to be fixed and the truck will need to pass a Wisconsin State Patrol inspection. This is in line with both state and federal guidelines.
If the truck is used before it passes the inspection, MCSO said the company that owns it could receive additional citations and be fined more than $3,500.
Both Norman and the other unnamed officer left the scene in an ambulance. Norman was seen on a stretcher.
MPD said both of them were being treated for non-life threatening injuries at a local hospital, but have since been released.