A Gwinnett County school police resource officer remained hospitalized with several broken bones Friday after being struck by a vehicle injured earlier in the week.
Gwinnett police Cpl. Edwin Ritter said the officer, 47-year-old Rolando Jimenez, was directing traffic at Lanier High School in the 900 block of Buford Highway in Buford when the incident happened about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday.
Thursday afternoon, Jimezez’s wife issued a statement on her husband’s condition.
“My husband is curently in serious but stable condition after undergoing surgery to address internal bleeding and to set his jaw, which was broken during the accident,” Melissa Jimenez said in a statement released by Gwinnett schools officials.
“He also suffered a broken pelvis and a knee injury,” Melissa Jimenez said. “While we know that he has a long recovery ahead of him, we are thankful that he is alive and look forward to the day when he is able to return home and to the work he loves.”
Ritter said charges are pending against 22-year-0ld Sydney Smigiel of Buford, the driver of the vehicle that struck Jimenez.
Jimenez was taken to Gwinnett Medical Center with serious injuries.
A preliminary investigation indicates Smigiel, traveling south on Buford Highway, struck Jimenez with such force he went airborne and landed on the roadway. Smigiel then struck a vehicle turning left into the school and that vehicle also struck Jimenez, who police said was wearing a reflective traffic vest and using a flashlight with a bright orange tip when he was hit.
Gwinnett schools spokeswoman Sloan Roach said Jimenez has been with the school system police since 2001.
Jaylin Gillam, a junior at Lanier, said he was turning left into the school when “the white truck behind us hit the officer and hit our car.”
Gillam said Lanier has only been open for three years and Jimenez “has been there every day, directing us into the school.”
“He’s been family to all of us at the school,” Gillam told AM750 and 95.5FM News/Talk WSB. “Everyone loves him.”
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