Drunk Man With COVID-19 Coughs, Spits On Officer During Arrest At Oregon McDonald’s Drive-Thru

An officer with the Tigard Police Department is under quarantine after a drunk suspect at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Oregon, coughed and spit on the cop while he was being taken into custody.

The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Miguel Hernandez-Cuesta, later tested positive for COVID-19.

Officers arrived at the Southwest 72nd Avenue, on Sunday, July 26, after receiving reports that an intoxicated driver had fallen asleep at the drive-thru of the restaurant.

Prior to the police’s arrival, the man moved his car out of the drive-thru lane. The responding officers found him passed out inside a vehicle with the engine running, partially hanging out of the open driver’s side door at the nearby parking lot.

The officers said they could smell a strong odor of alcohol as they approached the car.

"Officers instructed the man to turn off the car, but he put it in drive and rolled forward, nearly hitting a patrol car parked in front of him. Officers placed the man under arrest for driving under the influence of intoxicants and driving while suspended," the police said in an official release.

The man began coughing at the officers while they frisked him for weapons or other dangerous items. During the arrest, he stated that he had the coronavirus.

"An officer asked him to stop coughing on them, but he turned his face toward the officers and proceeded to cough and spit on one of their faces while standing less than a foot away," the Facebook release stated.

Hernandez-Cuesta was booked into the Washington County Jail with additional charges of felony aggravated harassment after the jail staff confirmed that he was indeed COVID-19 positive.

"Based on his actions, it is our belief he acted knowingly in trying to expose the officer to COVID-19," the police said in the statement.

Adhering to the COVID-19 safety protocol, the officer was wearing a face mask and gloves at the time of the incident. However, he "is now under quarantine to monitor for any potential symptoms of the virus."

"Officers who are victims during the course and scope of their duties have the same rights as any other community members, and we intend to assist the Washington County District Attorney’s office with any future prosecution for this intentional and unwarranted exposure beyond our routine day-to-day duties," the police added in the statement.

According to the inmate records, Hernandez-Cuesta was released Sunday.