New Report Details Drunk Driving Crash That Killed Police Officer

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) -- The man accused of causing the crash that killed a Montgomery County police officer had no business being behind the wheel. That's the bottom line of a new report that shows just how much the suspect was drinking that night.

Mary Bubala has more.

A drunk driving crash took the life of Montgomery County police officer Noah Leotta and now a new report details just how reckless the suspect, Luis Reluzco, was that night. Police say Reluzco had at least six beers and four shots and smoked marijuana before he got behind the wheel of his Honda CRV.

He drank all that at a Hooters on Rockville Pike. Police used his credit card records to confirm what he ordered that night in December.

A witness to the crash said Reluzco never appeared to slow down as he approached Officer Leotta's patrol car.

"I don't know how you miss those flashing lights," said a witness.

The new report also says several witnesses rushed into help. One yelled into his radio, "Officer down! Officer down! Officer down!"

"He was struck by a drunk driver," said Officer Leotta's father, Rich.

He's using this horrific incident to push for tighter drunk driving laws in Maryland.

With the legislature in session for only another four days, Noah's Law---the bill that aims to require ignition interlocks for everybody caught driving drunk---is not yet done. A joint Senate/House committee must meet to iron out the difference between two versions of the bill.

Governor Larry Hogan wants the tough Senate version.

"I hope we can get the strong version but anything is a step in the right direction," Hogan said. "And I think it's about time we finally are starting to crack down on drunk drivers."

The suspect remains behind bars; a court date is scheduled for next week.

There were a total of seven witnesses to the deadly drunk driving crash.