Distel said he was driving in the center lane when a silver Toyota hit the rear and then front of his 2003 Crown Ford Victoria, causing him to lose control and fly into barriers on either side of the four-lane highway, according to court documents.

Officers who responded to Distel’s 911 call said they could smell alcohol on his breath, and he was arrested that night for suspicion of driving under the influence.

Distel later changed his story when speaking with investigators, police said.

After Distel pleaded guilty to the driving under the influence charges on Oct. 3, District Court Judge Stephen Johnson sentenced Distel to one-year supervised probation during which Distel is banned from drinking. He was fined $307.50 and had his driver’s license restored.

The conviction was filed as a “probation before judgment,” which means it will not appear on Distel’s permanent driving record if he meets the probation requirements.

Following the accident, Distel was placed on 90 hours of paid administrative leave and had his take-home car privileges revoked, police said. He returned to desk duty on May 27, but he didn’t get his powers as a sworn police officer back until September.

Distel has not returned to patrol and now faces an internal investigation that will determine his fate within the department.

“John Distel is a decorated Montgomery County police officer and he served with distinction in the Army in Iraq,” his attorney, Michael A. Taylor said.

“He looks forward to continuing to work as a police officer and is moving forward. He regrets the events and has taken steps showing that.”