Drunk driver hits Atlanta police officer

A drunk driver allegedly struck an Atlanta police officer while attempting to flee the scene of an accident early Saturday morning.

Officer Rodney Smither saw a silver Volkswagen vehicle driven by David Hamblen, 44, back into a parked pickup truck near the intersection of Lenox and Cheshire Bridge roads around 3 a.m., according to a statement by Atlanta police. Hamblen alledgedly hit Smither, who fell to the ground, while trying to drive away.

Paramedics at the scene examined Smither, who complained of minor soreness but did not go to the hospital.

A Georgia State Patrol officer stopped the vehicle a couple of miles away from the scene. Hamblen is charged with DUI, aggravated assault and obstruction.

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