A DeKalb County police officer is expected to make a full recovery after he was rear-ended Thursday while he was stopped on I-20.
Yosef C. Raskin received minor injuries and was taken to a hospital, DeKalb police spokeswoman Michaela Vincent said. The other driver involved, who has not been identified, declined medical treatment at the scene.
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
The crash shut down the westbound lanes of I-20 for nearly two hours, causing major delays back to I-285 during the lunch hour, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. During the investigation, traffic was getting by only on a left shoulder.
Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
Authorities cleared the wrecked vehicles and reopened the interstate just before 1 p.m.
Dekalb Co.: Officer involved Crash has Cleared on I-20/wb past Candler Rd. (exit 65) All lanes are now back open Delays remain leaving I-285 https://t.co/MhPvicYKPN #ATLtraffic pic.twitter.com/v62qxED7FH
— AJC WSB Traffic (@ajcwsbtraffic) December 5, 2019
Aerial footage from the scene showed an SUV flipped on its side. The officer’s cruiser sustained major damage, with the rear of the vehicle smashed into the back seat.
Thank you for your concern about our officer involved in a vehicle crash today. Fortunately, the officer received minor to moderate injuries & is recovering at this time. We appreciate the support! #DKPD 💙 pic.twitter.com/jBCMQAh4gU
— DeKalb County Police Department (@DeKalbCountyPD) December 5, 2019
Charges for the driver of the SUV will be determined when the investigation is closed, Vincent said.
Georgia has a "move-over" law that requires drivers to move over a lane to give space to police, EMS crews, Georgia Department of Transportation crews and other emergency personnel. If drivers are unable to get over, the law requires that they slow down to a reasonable speed.
