Cobb County police are continuing to investigate an alleged aggravated assault on a police officer during a chase Friday morning in Kennesaw. Three people were arrested.
Authorities said a Cobb motorcycle officer tried to stop a white 1994 Honda Civic driven by Justin Lee Clark, 22, of Canton, on Ernest Barrett Parkway around 7:30 a.m., but the vehicle did not stop.
Clark's car made a U turn and accelerated toward the officer's motorcycle, attempting to hit him, police said. The officer avoided being struck and called off the pursuit.
Other officers responded to the incident, initiating another pursuit in which the suspect's vehicle did not stop. Clark is accused of running a red light at the intersection of George Busbee Parkway and Chastain Road and hitting another vehicle. The other driver was not injured, police said.
Clark fled on foot after the crash and was captured soon thereafter, authorities said.
Contrary to earlier reports that shots were fired at the motorcycle police officer, authorities now say a weapon accidentally discharged inside Clark's car as a passenger was getting a firearm out of his pants.
Clark is charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, multiple traffic offenses, fleeing and attempting to elude, obstruction, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Jonathan Lee Earwood, 22, of Canton, and Ashley Caudle, 28, of Marietta, are charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
All three are in the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.
Anyone with information on the case should call 770-499-3945.
About the Author
