According to Gwinnett police officials, a 19-year-old White County man slammed his 2015 Kia Optima into the back of a deputy’s cruiser while the official was working in a traffic safety detail off-duty in a construction zone. The accident occurred around 11:00 p.m. on Sept. 24 on Interstate 85 between Indian Trail Lilburn Road and Jimmy Carter Boulevard.
Police say the driver was driving in the HOT lane. The deputy was partially parked in the lane with his lights flashing; construction crew members were busy completing repairs to the lane when the collision occurred. The 32-year-old deputy suffered non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the accident. He was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center for medical treatment as a result.
The driver allegedly told responding officers that he had been distracted by his cellphone and thus failed to see the police cruiser. He was arrested and charged with multiple traffic offenses including DUI-Less Safe, driving with a suspended license, possession of under an ounce of alleged marijuana, following too closely and using a cellphone without using due care. The driver allegedly told officers he had been changing music on his cellphone when the accident happened.
In Georgia, people whose blood alcohol content is less than .08 percent may still be detained and charged with DUI-Less Safe. If it is believed to have contributed to impaired driving, a charge may result. Since blood tests are often used, results may not be known for up to five weeks, resulting in such charges often being initially filed and later changed to a DUI-Per Se if the results are greater than .08 percent. People facing DUI charges may wish to consult with a criminal defense attorney.
Source: Officer.com, “Alleged Drunk Driver Slams Into Ga. Cruiser”, Mike Morris, September 26, 2014