Suspected drunken driver crashes into deputy’s patrol car near Newman

A Stanislaus County sheriff’s deputy escaped serious injury after his vehicle was rear-ended by a suspected drunken driver traveling about 100 mph early Monday.

Deputy David Neuman was traveling south on Highway 33 north of Stuhr Road about 2:11 a.m. when his patrol car was struck by a BMW, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Neuman was traveling about 55 mph. According to authorities, the driver of the BMW, 21-year-old Raymond Musquez III of Newman, was driving about 100 mph.

The impact knocked Neuman’s patrol car about 200 feet from the point of the collision, according to a press release from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department.

Neuman was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Musquez was evaluated by CHP officers, who determined his blood alcohol content was 0.22 percent, more than twice the legal limit, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

He was booked at the county jail on suspicion of driving under the influence and driving on a suspended license. Musquez also had a warrant for his arrest in a previous suspected DUI.

The Sheriff’s Department recently received a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety for a yearlong program of special enforcements and public awareness efforts to prevent traffic-related deaths and injuries.

If you have information about the crash, you can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Email tips at www.modestopolice.com/crimestoppers or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typing “Tip704” plus a message and be eligible for a cash reward.

This story was originally published November 17, 2014 at 10:26 AM with the headline "Suspected drunken driver crashes into deputy’s patrol car near Newman."