BARROW COUNTY, Ga. — A police officer had a close call Friday morning after a crash involving his police vehicle.
Authorities say a FedEx truck hit his car as he stood on the side of I-85 during a traffic stop.
The Braselton police officer pulled over a car on the shoulder of I-85 southbound just before the Chateau Elan exit. He was outside of his car when a truck slammed into the patrol car.
Download Free WSB-TV Apps
Wake-Up | News | Weather | Traffic
The FedEx truck then lost control, went up an embankment and into the trees on the side of the road. The engine of the tractor trailer flew about 25 feet deeper into the trees.
First responders cut the driver free. He taken by helicopter to a hospital in Atlanta. His condition is unknown
The officer is expected to be OK. He was taken to the hospital to get his leg checkout out after his patrol car pushed into him.
“We have a policy that says all traffic stops are to be conducted on the passenger side. That absolutely saved him. No doubt in my mind that saved him,” said Braselton police Chief Terry Esco.
The family inside the car the officer pulled over was not hurt.
It took hours to clear all the debris off the side of the interstate. All lanes were shut down at one point. Only one lane was open for most of the morning.
WSBTV
