Driver who rear-ended Burbank police patrol car allegedly took prescription drugs

A 51-year-old man was arrested early Wednesday when he reportedly rear-ended a Burbank police car while under the influence of prescription drugs, police said.

Police stopped the man – identified as Michael Joanou – just after 1 a.m. Wednesday after he reportedly rear-ended a patrol car on Magnolia Boulevard near Lincoln Street and drove off, said Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn.

The officer whose vehicle was struck stopped the motorist on the 600 block of Buena Vista Street, where Joanou allegedly admitted to taking prescription medication, Ryburn said.

The man subsequently failed a field sobriety test, according to police.

Joanou was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, misdemeanor hit and run and driving with a suspended license, Ryburn said. He is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.

No injuries were reported, but both the police car and the suspect’s pick-up truck sustained minor damages, Ryburn said.

-- Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

Follow on Google+ and on Twitter: @atchek.

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