Atlanta Police Officer Hospitalized After High-Speed Chase Ends in Buckhead Head-On Collision

An Atlanta Police Department officer was hospitalized following a high-speed pursuit that culminated in a head-on collision in Buckhead on December 20, 2024. The incident began at 8:52 p.m. when Georgia State Patrol's Nighthawks North DUI Task Force attempted to stop a gray Kia sedan traveling 61 mph in a 35-mph zone on Roswell Road NE near Honour Avenue NW. The pursuit ended when the fleeing vehicle crashed into an APD patrol car on Piedmont Road NE as the officer was turning into a private driveway. The Kia's occupants fled on foot toward a nearby parking garage. While one suspect was temporarily detained and later released after being cleared of involvement, the driver and other occupants remain at large. The injured officer was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital with non-critical injuries. GSP is leading the ongoing investigation.

Location and Infrastructure - The collision occurred along Piedmont Road NE in Buckhead, a major commercial and residential district of northern Atlanta. This heavily trafficked corridor serves as a primary north-south artery through the area, connecting multiple business districts and residential neighborhoods. The intersection near the crash site features numerous private driveways serving retail establishments and office complexes, creating multiple conflict points for turning vehicles. The area experiences particularly heavy traffic during evening hours, with a mix of commuter and local traffic navigating multiple lanes in each direction.

Legal Rights and Considerations - Under Georgia Code § 40-6-6, emergency vehicles engaged in pursuit have certain privileges, but both officers and civilians maintain duties of reasonable care. The injured officer may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits under O.C.G.A. § 34-9-1, covering medical expenses and lost wages. Additional civil claims might be pursued against the fleeing vehicle's owner or operator under Georgia's negligence laws, with a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Potential compensation could include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. The criminal aspects of fleeing law enforcement (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-395) may affect civil proceedings. An experienced Buckhead personal injury lawyer will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

Related Resources:

• Atlanta Police Department: (404) 546-5650
• Georgia State Patrol Nighthawks Unit: (404) 624-7000
• Grady Memorial Hospital: (404) 616-1000
• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety
• Buckhead Community Improvement District
• Georgia Victim Services: (800) 547-0060
• Georgia Department of Driver Services