DEKALB COUNTY, Ga.,None — A police officer injured after a car hit him Sunday morning remains in critical condition.
Daniel LaCoste was in critical condition after being hit while investigating a car wreck on Interstate 20. LaCoste is a veteran officer with DeKalb County police.
Renee Pitzer said her brother puts his life on the line every time he goes to work, but always thought if he were seriously hurt it would be from a gun, not a car.
I didnt expect it to be somebody hit him on the side of the road, I dont know how they couldnt see the lights, Pitzer said.
DeKalb police said thats exactly what happened. They will only confirm one of their own responded to a wreck overnight on I-20 east, just before the Evans Mill Road exit.
Family Photo Officer Hit IM Daniel LaCoste /2011/0717/28577385.jpg /2011/0717/28577385_640X360.jpg /2011/0717/28577385_160X90.jpg /2011/0717/28577385_240X135.jpg /2011/0717/28577385_180X101.jpg /2011/0717/28577385_300X169.jpg /2011/0717/28577385_80X45.jpg /2011/0717/28577385_120X68.jpg /2011/0717/28577385_200X113.jpg /2011/0717/28577385_60X34.jpg /2011/0717/28577385_320X180.jpg /2011/0717/28577385_90X51.jpg /2011/0717/28577385_400X225.jpg /2011/0717/28577385_40X23.jpg /2011/0717/28577385_480X270.jpg
Bryant Hill said a driver sideswiped his tractor-trailer. When LaCoste got out of his car to talk with him, the officer was hit by a passing motorist.
I think people need to be more aware to whats going on around them, pay more attention the road and everything like that. The accident was a simple accident but it turned big when people wasnt paying attention, Hill said.
Witnesses said the officer was wearing a reflective vest, so his family cant understand why it happened.
Cars and bones really dont do well together and so thats really the disappointing part that someone would drive through an accident scene callously. Give them a lane. Give them a lane, protect them, they protect us, LaCostes brother, Jason LaCoste, said.
Family members said LaCostes leg has been broken in two places, but its the skull fracture and swelling near his brain stem that have them most concerned.
Were praying for him and wed like for the city of Atlanta to join us in that, Jason LaCoste said.
WSBTV
