Two Atlanta Police Department officers are starting their recovery after a driver, now under arrest, crashed into their patrol car. The collision occurred near midnight at the intersection of Forsyth Street and Mitchell Street, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. Authorities say the patrol vehicle was in the intersection when it was struck by the other vehicle when the driver allegedly ran a red light.
Grady Memorial Hospital received both officers, and their conditions have been marked as stable. While the driver responsible for the accident is facing a license violation among other traffic-related charges, the names of the officers and the driver have been withheld by officials.
In a separate yet equally disturbing incident, Officer Robert Golden of APD is critically injured after being hit by what was believed to be a drunk driver during an ongoing arrest attempt. The report, according to 11Alive, explains that the incident unfolded as officers responded to a disturbance call at an Exxon gas station on Jonesboro Road SE.
Upon locating a man threatening a woman with a weapon, he fled, prompting a chase. It culminated on a city street, where, with the suspect resisting arrest, both he and Golden were struck by an allegedly intoxicated driver. "Sustained multiple injuries" were reported for Golden, but remarkably, he was in stable condition. The suspect also suffered non-life-threatening injuries, was arrested, and faces numerous charges, including obstruction and possession of a controlled substance, as per 11Alive.
Atlanta's Police Chief, Darin Schierbaum, hailed the medical staff at Grady Hospital as "incredible heroes" for their efforts. The 32-year-old driver whose vehicle brought Golden down received charges of 6F DUI and serious injury by vehicle, among others. With just over three years on the force, Officer Golden is known for his service in southeast Atlanta, and now his colleagues and the community alike hold onto hope for a full recovery.
