An Atlanta police officer and suspect were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital after a car slammed into them.
Police responded to a disturbance just before midnight in the 3800 block of Jonesboro Road in southeast Atlanta at an Exxon Gas Station. Police told WSB that they responded to the area after receiving a call about a man threatening a woman with a gun.
When the officers arrived at the scene, they spotted a male suspect who matched the description provided to dispatch. The officers then attempted to speak with the male suspect, 58-year-old Charles Reginald Thomas, but Thomas fled on foot to a nearby wooded area.
Police said Thomas continued to physically resist arrest while in the street.
Officers who surrounded the wooded area were able to spot Thomas attempting to leave the area on foot. Police said Thomas then ran onto a city street into oncoming traffic as officers attempted to take him into custody.
Several cars stopped in the street as the foot chase was ongoing. However, Jason Haynes - who is suspected of driving drunk - drove around the stopped cars and hit the officer and Thomas.
The condition of both the officer and suspect is described as critical.
The officer sustained multiple injuries and is currently listed in stable condition.
“The Atlanta Police Department will be here, with the family, until he makes a full recovery,” Atlanta police chief Darin Schierbaum said.
Thomas suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Grady Detention Center.
Haynes was not injured and was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol – less safe, too fast for conditions/prima facie speed, driving-improper/erratic lane change, and two counts of serious injury by vehicle.
Thomas was charged with obstruction, three counts of pedestrian in the roadway, and discharging a controlled substance.