Tragic Collision Involving Police Cruisers Leaves Two Officers Injured in East Point
East Point, GA – A serious incident early Wednesday morning involved three police cruisers and a speeding tractor-trailer, resulting in injuries to two officers. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the police vehicles with flashing lights from two miles away as the crash unfolded shortly after 5 AM.
According to East Point Police Chief George Buchanan, one officer was inside his vehicle when it was struck, while another officer, who was standing outside, attempted to flee but fell and was subsequently run over by his own patrol car. Fortunately, both injured officers were treated and released from Grady Memorial Hospital by noon, with Buchanan expressing relief that they are recovering well and urging continued prayers for their full recovery.
He confirmed that investigators believe the truck driver was speeding and driving illegally in a lane adjacent to the median, failing to heed the presence of emergency vehicles. The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) indicated that the driver was charged with multiple offenses including speeding for roadway conditions, violating the move-over law, and prohibited lane usage. "He never slowed down," Buchanan noted, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Images from the crash scene depicted two damaged police cruisers with their hoods open and debris scattered across the area. The accident site evoked memories of a tragic incident nearly 22 years earlier, when East Point officer Christopher Betts was killed on the same stretch of I-285 while attempting an arrest.
Local officials stress the importance of driver awareness and compliance with emergency vehicle laws in avoiding such dangerous occurrences on the road.
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Photo credit www.ajc.com
