A Salina Police officer is suspended after being arrested for DUI.

According to Captain Mike Sweeney, 29-year-old Austin Hardin was arrested early Sunday morning after he allegedly hit a power pole on South 9th and left the scene.

Police say Hardin was driving northbound in a 2006 Dodge Dakota truck when he veered into the median and struck a Westar power pole in the 2100 block of S. 9th. A witness told officers he then briefly crossed into the southbound lane before correcting and drove away.

A short time later around 12:14am, officers stopped the truck at Ohio and Pacific and took Hardin into custody.

Captain Sweeney tells KSAL News that officer Hardin has been charged with DUI, leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving.

Sweeney says Hardin also refused the preliminary breath test at the scene.

The case has been refereed to the County Attorney’s Office, “It will be handled in the criminal court and administratively,” Sweeney said.