DeKalb police officer in ICU after being hit by car

A DeKalb police officer responding to a multi-car accident on I-20 early Sunday morning is in intensive care after being hit by a passing motorist.

Sgt. Leon Mitchum with DeKalb police told the AJC that officer Daniel LaCoste, a 19-year veteran of the DeKalb Police Department, was struck on I-20 east just west of Evans Mill Road.

LaCoste is in Grady Memorial Hospital in critical but stable condition, said Mitchum. LaCoste's sister, Renee Pitzer, told Channel 2 Action News he suffered a broken collarbone and leg and a fractured skull.

The driver that struck LaCoste remained at the scene and has been charged, but Mitchum did not have specifics.

LaCoste was out of his car and checking on the medical condition of motorists in an earlier multi-car accident when struck, said Mitchum.

A string of accidents were reported near the exit where the officer was injured. Witnesses told Channel 2 that at least three people were taken to the hospital. The stretch of highway was closed for four hours overnight so tow trucks could remove the wreckage.