A DeKalb County police officer sustained minor injuries following a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Lawrenceville Highway and Fellowship Road on Tuesday afternoon. The crash occurred around 1:45 p.m. at this busy intersection in the Tucker area of DeKalb County. According to the DeKalb County Police Department, the collision involved the officer's patrol vehicle and another civilian vehicle. Emergency medical services responded to the scene and transported both the injured officer and the driver of the other vehicle to a local hospital for treatment. Both individuals were reported to have suffered minor injuries in the incident. The police department has not released additional details regarding the circumstances that led to the collision, including whether the officer was responding to an emergency call at the time of the crash or the direction of travel for either vehicle. The incident temporarily affected traffic flow through this already congested intersection during the afternoon hours.

Location and Infrastructure

The intersection of Lawrenceville Highway and Fellowship Road is located in the Tucker area of DeKalb County, positioned along a major thoroughfare that connects multiple municipalities in the metro Atlanta region. Lawrenceville Highway (U.S. Route 29) serves as a significant arterial road carrying substantial daily traffic volumes between Atlanta and surrounding communities. This particular intersection experiences heavy traffic during peak commuting hours, with vehicles traveling through residential and commercial areas. The roadway features multiple lanes in each direction with traffic signals controlling the flow of vehicles through the intersection. The area surrounding this intersection includes various businesses, shopping centers, and residential neighborhoods, contributing to the high volume of vehicle and pedestrian activity throughout the day. Tucker, an established community in central DeKalb County, has seen increased development in recent years, leading to greater traffic density along major corridors like Lawrenceville Highway.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Georgia law, all drivers involved in accidents resulting in injury have specific rights and obligations. Georgia operates under a fault-based insurance system, meaning the at-fault driver's insurance typically covers damages and injuries sustained by other parties. Injured parties may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Georgia law requires that personal injury claims be filed within two years from the date of the accident, as established by O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. When accidents involve law enforcement vehicles, additional considerations may apply, including potential sovereign immunity protections for government entities, though exceptions exist when officers are negligent. Victims of traffic accidents should document all medical treatment, preserve evidence from the scene, and obtain copies of the official accident report. Georgia requires drivers to report accidents involving injury to law enforcement immediately, and insurance claims should be filed promptly to preserve all available coverage options.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• DeKalb County Police Department: (404) 294-2911
• DeKalb County Fire Rescue: 911 for emergencies
• Grady Memorial Hospital: (404) 616-1000

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT): https://www.dot.ga.gov
• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: https://www.gahighwaysafety.org
• DeKalb County Traffic Safety Information: (404) 371-2000

Support Services:

• Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program: (404) 559-4949
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Georgia: (770) 777-6233

Legal Information:

• Georgia Traffic Laws: https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-40
• State Bar of Georgia Lawyer Referral Service: (404) 521-0777
• Georgia Department of Insurance (Consumer Services): (800) 656-2298