An Atlanta police officer escaped serious injury early Monday when a huge tree fell across his patrol car on Mount Paran Road.

After a weekend of heavy rain and wind, the oak tree toppled onto the hood of the police cruiser shortly before 5 a.m.

Atlanta police spokesman Eric Schwartz said the officer received only minor injuries to his arm as a result of the air bag deploying.

The tree, which brought down power lines when it fell, blocked Mount Paran Road in both directions near Jett Road during the early stages of Monday’s morning commute.

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Passengers wait at a Delta check-in counter at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. It was the first day the Federal Aviation Administration cut flight capacity at airports during the government shutdown. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com