An off-duty Atlanta police officer was injured after their patrol car was hit head-on while providing security at a construction site.
The incident occurred at the intersection of Juniper Street NE and 6th Street NE. The officer was inside the patrol car with emergency lights activated to protect a lane closure for construction.
According to the Atlanta Police Department, 34-year-old driver Desmond Brown swerved out of his lane, crossed the median, and slammed into the front of the police car.
The officer sustained neck injuries, remained conscious, and was transported to Emory Midtown Hospital for further evaluation.
At the scene, authorities noted signs of intoxication from the driver. His blood alcohol content (BAC) was recorded at 0.208, more than double the legal limit in Georgia, similar to a previous incident where a Georgia sheriff was arrested for having a BAC far above the limit.
The suspect admitted to drinking and agreed to a field sobriety test.
Desmond Brown was arrested on charges of:
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
- Reckless driving
- Failure to maintain lane
The suspect's vehicle was towed from the scene. He was transported to a detention facility to complete processing. This irresponsible driving behavior can lead to catastrophic consequences, such as the fatal crash where a car plowed into a residence often seen in traffic news.
The identity and specific condition of the injured officer have not been released.
