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Preliminary Information:

On 11/18/24, around 12:15am, officers responded to I-75 and Ralph David Abernathy in reference to an accident involving a patrol vehicle. Upon arrival, officers located the officer and vehicle involved in the collision. The officer was alert, conscious and breathing and transported to the hospital to be checked for minor injuries. The at-fault-driver was not injured. Preliminary investigation indicates the officer was attempting to shut down lanes of traffic to investigate a previously reported accident on the interstate. The officer activated his emergency lights and sirens and was in a stationary position blocking traffic when a Tesla struck the patrol unit from behind. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and appeared to be impaired. The driver gave investigating officers complied consent for a field sobriety test and stated he consumed three alcoholic beverages. The driver, later identified as Pedro Thomas, failed the field sobriety test and was arrested on scene. He charged with Reckless Driving, Too Fast for conditions, DUI, Obedience to authorized person directing traffic, and expired registration. Thomas was transported to the Atlanta City Jail.

Please keep in mind the above information is preliminary in nature and can change as the investigation progresses and new information comes to light.