A violent encounter following a hit-and-run collision on Interstate 20 near Panola Road resulted in the stabbing of an off-duty police officer in Rockdale County, Georgia. The incident occurred around 6:00 PM on Saturday, when suspect Justin Perry Hurst, 36, allegedly struck the officer's Chevrolet Silverado and fled the scene. The officer followed Hurst's vehicle to a parking lot on Wall Street in Conyers, where a verbal confrontation ensued. During the altercation, Hurst allegedly stabbed the officer before fleeing the area. Emergency responders transported the injured officer to a local hospital, where they received treatment and were subsequently released. Law enforcement has launched a manhunt for Hurst, who is considered armed and dangerous and may be operating a white Volkswagen Passat with Georgia license plate CWC3082.

Location and Infrastructure

The incident began on Interstate 20, a major east-west highway that serves as a crucial transportation artery through metro Atlanta and Rockdale County. The specific section near Panola Road experiences heavy traffic volumes as it connects suburban communities with Atlanta's urban core. The area where the stabbing occurred, Wall Street in Conyers, is located in a commercial district of Rockdale County, approximately 24 miles east of downtown Atlanta. This section of I-20 features multiple lanes in each direction with emergency shoulders and is monitored by Georgia Department of Transportation traffic cameras. The exit to Panola Road serves as a major interchange, connecting commuters to residential and commercial areas in both DeKalb and Rockdale counties.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Georgia law, this incident involves multiple potential criminal charges, including aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer (O.C.G.A. § 16-5-21), hit-and-run (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-270), and various traffic violations. Victims of violent crimes in Georgia have the right to pursue both criminal and civil remedies, with a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Compensation may be available through multiple channels, including personal injury protection insurance, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and the Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program. Additionally, law enforcement officers injured in the line of duty, even when off-duty, may be entitled to specific benefits under state and local provisions. An experienced Conyers car crash lawyer will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Rockdale County Sheriff's Office: 770-278-8000
• Conyers Police Department: 770-483-6600
• Rockdale County Fire Rescue: 770-278-8401

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety
• Georgia Department of Transportation Road Conditions: 511GA.org
• Rockdale County Traffic Safety Division

Victim Support Services:

• Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
• Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program
• Rockdale County Victim Services Unit

Legal References:

• Georgia Code Title 40 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic)
• Georgia Code Title 51 (Torts)
• Georgia Victim's Bill of Rights