A Coweta County sheriff's deputy was seriously injured Sunday morning when a vehicle slammed into his patrol car during a traffic stop on I‑85 South near mile marker 49. The deputy was taken to a local hospital, where officials say he is in stable condition.
According to the sheriff's office, the crash happened while the deputy was in the middle of a traffic stop. A person who had been in custody and seated in the back of the patrol car was also taken to a hospital with what appeared to be minor injuries. The driver of the vehicle that struck the patrol car declined medical treatment, and the Georgia State Patrol is leading the investigation, according to WSB‑TV.
What Georgia's move‑over law requires
Georgia's move‑over law (O.C.G.A. § 40‑6‑16) generally requires drivers who are approaching a stopped emergency or maintenance vehicle with flashing lights to shift over into an adjacent lane when it is safe to do so. If moving over is not possible, drivers are required to slow to a safe speed instead.
The statute and legal summaries spell out a clear duty to give space to first responders and roadside crews, and violations can result in fines or license points, as outlined in the Georgia code.
Preliminary findings and charges
A preliminary investigation describes the incident as a three‑vehicle crash. Investigators say the deputy’s patrol car collided with a 2017 RAV4 that had been pulled over, then a 2018 RAV4 struck the patrol car. The driver of the 2018 RAV4 has been charged with violating the state's move‑over law, failure to maintain lane, and failure to exercise due care, according to WSB‑TV.
Danger at the shoulder
Crashes that put officers in harm's way on the shoulder remain a persistent threat on Georgia's interstates. In January 2024, Coweta County lost Deputy Eric Minix after he was struck and killed during a pursuit that crossed into Alabama. The Atlanta Journal‑Constitution reported on that fatal incident and the broader dangers officers and roadside workers face on high‑speed highways, underscoring why prosecutors and safety advocates continue to push hard for move‑over enforcement.
The Georgia State Patrol is handling the current investigation, and local authorities have asked anyone with information to contact law enforcement. In the meantime, public‑safety officials are again reminding drivers to slow down, move over when you see stopped emergency vehicles with lights on, and take extra care in work zones and traffic‑stop areas.
