A Conyers man trying to flee a traffic stop on an I-75 exit ramp had a good reason for attempting to run Wednesday night, according to investigators.

He had a half-kilo of heroin inside his vehicle, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

Troopers had stopped 36-year-old Alvaro Jimenez-Santana at the Delk Road overpass for a traffic violation, Sgt. Charles Chapeau said. Jimeniz-Santana initially stopped and had given a trooper his driver’s license, Chapeau said.

“During the course of the traffic stop, the driver decided to go jump back into his car,” Chapeau said.

Jimeniz-Santana then allegedly drove off, sending the trooper to the ground and knocking him unconscious. Jimeniz-Santana drove a short distance before getting out of the SUV and running, Chapeau said. The suspect was located during a manhunt involving numerous law enforcement agencies.

While searching for Jimeniz-Santana, investigators found a half-kilo of heroin he allegedly threw from his vehicle. Jimeniz-Santana was arrested near Franklin Road and charged with aggravated assault against a police officer and drug possession.

The veteran trooper, whose name was not released, was in stable condition at a local hospital, where he was being treated for a head injury, Chapeau said.

The incident and police investigation temporarily blocked lanes of Delk Road and parts of I-75 northbound late Wednesday.

About the Author

Featured

The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC