DUI suspect slams head-on into Woodstock police officer

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By Mike Morris

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Woodstock police officer sustained minor injuries early Thursday when his patrol car was struck head-on by a fleeing drunk driving suspect.

Woodstock Police Adam Michael Sides, 19, faces several charges, including aggravated assault on an officer, after colliding with a Woodstock police officer during a chase.

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The three-mile, two-county chase began about 1:15 a.m. after officers were sent to the Alta Woods apartment complex on Willow Creek Lane in Woodstock to investigate a report of "individuals possibly engaging in drug and alcohol use," Woodstock police spokeswoman Brittany Duncan said.

"Upon arrival, officers met with Adam Michael Sides and six other individuals behind the pool," Duncan said.

Sides, 19, ran from officers, she said. One officer hit Sides with a Taser after he refused to stop, but the suspect was able to make it to his vehicle.

While driving away from the complex, Sides ran over an officer's foot, Duncan said.

Other officers chased Sides into Cobb County, where the chase ended on Jamerson Road near Victoria Court.

"It appeared as though he was making a left-hand turn when in fact he was making a U-turn, going about 15 miles per hour, and collided head-on with one of our officers," Duncan told AM 750 and now 95.5 FM News/Talk WSB.

That officer was slightly injured in the crash. Sides was not injured.

Police found a gallon jug of alcohol in the suspect's vehicle after the wreck.

Woodstock police charged Sides was with aggravated assault on an officer, two counts of felony obstruction of a law enforcement officer, possession of marijuana, possession of drug-related objects, reckless driving, eluding, underage possession of alcohol and having an open container of alcohol, and was taken to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.

"There were six other individuals engaging in alcohol use" at the apartment complex, Duncan said. Five of those people, one a juvenile, were arrested and charged with underage possession of alcohol. Other charges may be pending, Duncan said.