A Kennesaw man was in custody Saturday hours after allegedly ramming an Atlanta police officer working traffic on I-75 at Northside Parkway.

The accident left the officer in serious condition with head and chest injuries, and broken bones, at GradyMemorial Hospital.

The accident occurred around 11:25 p.m. Friday. Officer Osbert Beckles was working traffic near an exit and was in his car when Scott Eugene Welker, driving northbound in a 2011 Hyundai Sonata, hit the officer’s patrol car, according to Georgia State Patrol spokesman Gordy Wright.

Welker, 45, then fled the scene on foot but was captured a short time later, the GSP spokesman said. The officer, who had to be extricated from his police car.

Welker was taken to the Fulton County Jail on DUI and other traffic-related charges, inlcuding serious injury by motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, improper turn/improper lane change and seat belt violation.

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