ST. JOHN | Town officials are awaiting word on the fate of two police cars that were smashed by a drunken driver last week.

An insurance adjuster examined the squads on Monday, but he hasn't released his findings, Town Manager Steve Kil said.

"We're still awaiting a formal report from the adjuster," he said.

Kil said he is seeking full replacement of the vehicles, because it was not the officers' fault the cars were damaged in Wednesday's incident.

A South Chicago Heights woman was arrested on charges of operating while intoxicated after she hit the squad cars that were parked near the scene of a Schererville traffic accident. Two St. John officers were assisting Schererville in responding to the accident when the woman hit their marked patrol cars. The lights on the squad cars were flashing.

The now inoperable squad cars are sitting in the town's public works area, Kil said.

Because the cars can't be used, the Police Department has adjusted some schedules, and officers on opposite shifts are sharing cars. New squad cars cost $22,000 each. It's another $3,000 to equip each of the vehicles for police use, he said.