Cherokee man who hit cop had been drinking

By Alexis Stevens

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The man accused of running into a parked patrol car on I-575 had consumed several beers before the accident, according to Cobb County police.

Carl D. Furstenwerth of Woodstock was also driving with a suspended license for prior DUI charges at the time of the wreck, late Friday night. Furstenwerth was driving a Ford F-250 southbound on I-575 near Bells Ferry Road when he slammed into Officer R.E. Drew's parked Crown Victoria.

Both men were transported to Kennestone Hospital, where Furstenwerth still remains. Drew was released late Monday, according to Sgt. Dana Pierce.

Construction work required one lane of the highway to be closed, and the emergency lights on Drew's patrol car were on police said. Just north of the cop car, a flashing DOT sign alerted drivers to the construction.

When Furstenwerth is released from the hospital, he will face several charges, according to his arrest warrant. He faces charges for DUI, not having insurance, and having a revoked Colorado driver's license. Furstenwerth told officers at the scene he had consumed several beers and had a strong alcohol odor on his breath, according to the warrant.  Additionally, he will be cited for following too closely and failing to move over.

Furstenwerth's bond will be set at $25,000.