Atlanta

Atlanta officer speaks about recovery after nearly being killed by suspected drunk driver

ATLANTA — An Atlanta police officer who nearly died when a drunk driver hit him while making an arrest is speaking out for the first time.

Officer Bobby Golden was chasing an armed suspect in December 2022. Several cars stopped when the suspect ran into the street, and Golden continued chasing him. Jason Haynes, suspected of driving drunk, drove around the parked cars and slammed into Golden and the suspect.

The husband and father of four spent several days in the ICU with a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and internal bleeding before being transferred to the Shepherd Center.

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After four months of learning to walk again, Golden spoke with Channel 2′s Michael Seiden about his long road to recovery.

“How has this traumatic event changed your outlook on life?” Seiden asked Golden.

“It’s made me very, very appreciative,” he replied.

Golden underwent several surgeries in the days following the crash.

“I had an intestine injury where they had to go in and remove four inches of my colon because it was not receiving blood,” he described.

After that, he spent several days fighting for his life in the hospital with fellow officers and his wife.

“I could tell she was shook, but I didn’t; I didn’t see doubt. I didn’t hear doubt. I didn’t hear crying; I didn’t hear crying, ‘Oh, my God, what are we going to do?” he recalled.

The next phase of his recovery was the painstaking journey to learning to walk again.

Video shows Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum and dozens of other officers cheering Golden on as he walked out of the Shepherd Center alone.

“He’s back to his normal personality. He’s joking. He’s laughing. He can walk without assistance,” his wife, Takisha Golden, said.

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Golden is still dealing with pain and short-term memory loss.

“Honestly, the last thing I remember is putting gas in my personal vehicle,” he said.

Despite those challenges, he is still determined to return to the streets.

“I don’t do this for money. I do this job to help,” he said.

“Bobby is the type of person you want out there in those streets. He’s confident in his ability, and he’s a people person,” Takisha Golden said.

The suspect hit in the crash suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Haynes is facing multiple felony charges but is currently free on bail. A trial date has not been set.

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