OCPD Officer Arrested For DUI After Crashing Into Teen Driver

An Oklahoma City police officer is accused of driving drunk and causing a head-on collision Friday night.

Sergeant Michael Ables, 49, was arrested for DUI and transporting a loaded firearm while under the influence. The 27-year police veteran is on paid administrative leave.

The passenger in the other car was shocked to hear the alleged drunk driver was a police officer.

“Seeing the car coming to me,” said James Homer, victim. “And there was nothing you can do.”  

Homer and his 16-year-old son were driving home Friday night when they were hit head-on at the intersection of south Meridian and Newcastle Road.

“All of the sudden he just curved in front of us,” said Homer. “Smashed in the front of the car.”

His son was behind the wheel and felt most of the impact. Both were injured but were not taken to the hospital.

“I have scrapes, bumps, bruises,” said Homer.

He could tell the driver who hit them was intoxicated.

“He knew that he had messed up,” said Homer. “He knew this was really something bad,”  

When officers arrived at the crash scene, the off-duty sergeant was sitting on the curb near his personal vehicle.

“When they came in contact with him,” said Captain Bo Mathews, Oklahoma City Police Department. “They noticed he had slurred speech, he was unsteady on his feet.”

Officers also noted Ables smelled like alcohol, and they later found a loaded gun in the console of his car.

“We’re there to make sure people don’t break the law, it’s discouraging,” said Capt. Mathews. “But hopefully we’ve caught this and hopefully get Sergeant Ables back on his feet.”

As for the victims, they are thankful to be alive.

“It’s a wakeup call for everybody,” said Homer. “You can’t drive drunk, it’s as simple as that. You’re gonna [sic] kill somebody.”

Police said this is a criminal investigation just like any other DUI allegation. There will also be an administrative investigation.