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Arizona deputy loses eye after DUI suspect allegedly kicks him with boot heel

Posted at 3:24 PM, Dec 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-12 17:28:26-05

TUCSON, Arizona — A deputy in Arizona lost his left eye after a DUI suspect allegedly kicked him, with police saying she intentionally struck his eye with the heel of her boot.

KSAZ in Phoenix reports the incident occurred Saturday around midnight as officers were conducting a DUI investigation in Tucson.

Police arrested 28-year-old Yesennia Gonzalez for alleged DUI and handcuffed her. As the deputies moved her to a patrol car, the woman allegedly began kicking those around her.

Deputies allege Gonzalez intentionally kicked Sgt. Mark Bustamante of the Traffic Unit in his left eye with the heel of her boot. The kick caused a severe injury, and medical personnel were unable to save the officer’s eye in surgery.

Gonzalez faces several charges for the incident, including aggravated assault on a police officer, KSAZ reports.