A Henry County police officer assisting a stranded motorist died Monday night after being a struck by a hit-and-run driver.
The officer, identified as Elgin L. Daniel, 53 of Ellenwood, was assisting a motorist on North Henry Boulevard, near the Starlite skate center in Stockbridge, around 6:40 p.m., according to Sgt. Joey Smith with the Henry County Police Department.
Another motorist also stopped to help, and the officer and second motorist were both struck by a truck that kept going, according to police.
The vehicle, believed to be a Ford F-250 pickup truck, continued eastbound on Ga. 138 toward Rockdale County, Smith said. The truck’s front left side is believed to be damaged and the side door mirror is missing, the Georgia State Patrol said. The vehicle is believed to be between 1997 and 2008 model years.
Gordon Jarrett told Channel 2 Action News he ran out of gas and the officer stopped to help him. Moments later, Jarrett said, he watched helplessly as the two were hit.
A sheriff’s deputy spotted the two victims on the roadway and called 911, Major Jason Bolton with Henry County police said.
Both victims were transported by ambulance to Atlanta Medical Center with serious injuries, Smith said. Both were taken to surgery, but Daniel did not survive.
The other victim’s injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, Smith said late Monday.
Investigators remained at the crash scene for several hours Monday night. Anyone with information about the hit-and-run driver is asked to contact Henry County police or call 911.
Daniel was third killed in the line of duty in recent days. On Nov. 3, two Atlanta Police Department officers, Richard J. Halford, 48, and Shawn A. Smiley, 40, died when their helicopter crashed into power lines.
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