A Conyers police officer is now recuperating at home following a harrowing New Year's Eve traffic incident, in which they were dragged some 40 feet by a suspect's vehicle during a stop for a broken brake light and tinted tag cover. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, the confrontation started around 4:17 p.m. Wednesday when the officer, suspecting DUI, stopped William Cornelius, 55, of Covington. The situation escalated when Cornelius resisted and was subsequently Tasered, although managing to climb back into his vehicle, subsequently dragging the officer.
As Cornelius attempted to elude capture, putting his vehicle into drive, investigators utilized Flock cameras to locate his vehicle and pursue him westbound on Interstate 20. The chaos unfolded close to West Avenue and I-20, ultimately ending when an officer managed to perform a PIT maneuver to safely stop the SUV. Post-incident, Cornelius faced charges which include, among others, aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer and felony fleeing and eluding, the details of which were provided by FOX 5 Atlanta.
In a separate account captured by a civilian, Tyler Miller, who unexpectedly found herself amidst the pursuit, recorded the intense moments on her cellphone. "I saw the lights and sirens. They're chasing this guy down the on-ramp and that's when I knew this was a serious situation," Miller recounted to Channel 2's Michael Seiden. Miller expressed her gratitude that no gunfire was exchanged and conveyed her heightened regard for law enforcement after witnessing the harrowing event, as reported by WSBTV.
Both the officer and Cornelius were treated at a local hospital for their injuries, which were reported to be non-life-threatening. Further details, including the specific nature of the officer's injuries and the results of the initial DUI investigation, still remain to be disclosed. The Conyers police have not indicated when the officer might return to duty or if any other individuals were involved in the pursuit with Cornelius. Updates anticipated as more information becomes available.
