Dunwoody Officer Hit by Suspected DUI Driver

DeKalb County Courthouse

Dunwoody, Ga. - An officer with the Dunwoody Police Department was injured last weekend when a suspected DUI driver slammed into the back of his patrol car during a traffic stop on Interstate 285.

Dunwoody PD released a statement in a post on social media: “Thankfully, the officer is okay. This should serve as a great reminder to MOVE OVER when you see emergency vehicles on the shoulder.”

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I will outline the connection between traffic accidents and DUI in Georgia.

DUI and Accidents in Georgia

If an accused DUI driver is involved in a car accident, the accident itself can be used to support a DUI charge by showing that the person was less safe to drive depending on the circumstances of the accident.

A car accident may also frustrate a favorable negotiation with the prosecution. Georgia DUI Penalties are likely to be more severe when a car accident is involved even when no person or property was injured or damaged. Also the accident itself can be used as an indication of less safe driving, which is an element of the DUI offense itself.

Much like if an officer witnesses an alleged traffic violation, if an officer witnesses drivers in distress, he or she has every legal right to approach each vehicle and perform an in-depth investigation.

This can lead to a search of the vehicle or even a DUI investigation.

Practice Note

As you can see if a driver displays any signs of less safe driving, a DUI investigation is likely to be performed by an on-duty officer.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for a serious traffic violation such as DUI in Georgia, contact our offices now.