An Atlanta police officer had to be cut from his patrol car and rushed to the hospital after being struck in a hit-and-run while working traffic on I-75 at Northside Parkway late Friday night.
But the driver who allegedly struck him was taken into custody a short time later, and investigators said the driver had been drinking.
The injured officer, Mr. Osbert Beckles, was in serious condition with head and chest injuries as well as broken bones, at Grady Memorial Hospital, officials said.
The wreck happened around 11:25 p.m. when Officer Beckles was working traffic in the exit ramp gore area, according to the Georgia State Patrol.
Officer Beckles was inside his car when Mr. Scott Eugene Welker, driving northbound in a 2011 Hyundai Sonata, allegedly hit the officer’s patrol car, GSP’s spokesman Mr. Gordy Wright said.
Mr. Welker, 45, then fled the scene on foot but was captured a short time later, Mr. Wright said. The officer had to be extricated from his police car, he said.
Mr. Welker was taken to the Fulton County jail on DUI and other traffic-related charges including: serious injury by motor vehicle; leaving the scene of an accident; reckless driving; failure to maintain lane; improper turn/improper lane change, and seat belt violation.
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