Georgia Trooper Killed In On-Duty I-85 Crash

ATLANTA — A Georgia State Patrol trooper died Sunday after his patrol vehicle left the roadway during a traffic stop attempt on Interstate 85, the Georgia Department of Public Safety said Monday.

Trooper Jimmy Cenescar, 28, was trying to pull over a motorcycle for a traffic violation when his vehicle left the road and hit an embankment, authorities said. He was on the northbound lanes near Old Peachtree Road.

Emergency medical personnel tried to save Cenescar's life, but he later died at Northside Gwinnett Hospital, authorities said.

"The Department of Public Safety sends its sincerest condolences and prayers to Trooper Jimmy Cenescar's family and co-workers. Please keep Trooper Cenescar’s family in your prayers as they cope with the loss of their loved one," authorities said in a statement.

Cenescar had been with the Department of Public Safety since January 2023 and graduated from the 114th Trooper School, authorities said.

While sharing a photo of himself with Cenescar and another trooper on Facebook, Gov. Brian Kemp said Cenescar died at the beginning of a life that had experiences and opportunities ahead for him.

RELATED: Car Plunges Off Bridge, Driver Saved By Atlanta Police Officer

"That service and commitment to duty inspires us all and makes this sudden loss all the more tragic," he said. "Our heartfelt prayers are with trooper Cenescar's family, his fiance, his colleagues and friends today. They will remain in our thoughts throughout this difficult time, and we ask all Georgians to join us in reflecting on the heavy sacrifices our brave men and women like trooper Cenescar make each day for the safety of our communities."

Cenescar was previously with Atlanta Police, where he was credited with saving a driver whose car had driven about 50 feet deep off of a bridge, police said.

Police said Cenescar was dispatched around 1 a.m., Oct. 21, 2021 to Marietta Road and Thomas Street in Atlanta, where the car drove off of the bridge.

Although Cenescar discovered a gravel driveway leading toward the car's location, it was blocked by a locked gate, police said. After being permitted to use his patrol vehicle to bust through the gate, he proceeded to do so and was able to get to the car, police said.

He rendered aid to the driver, who was taken to the hospital in serious but stable condition, police said.

"You were truly a public servant," Atlanta Police said Monday.

Cenescar became the fourth Georgia law-enforcement officer to die this month.

Coweta County Deputy Sheriff Eric Minix died the morning of Jan. 4 when he was hit by a police car during a chase while Sgt. Marc McIntyre, with the Spalding County Sheriff's Office, died on Dec. 29 after being shot during a welfare check.

Atlanta Police Officer Kenya Galloway, 44, also died the night of Jan. 4 after he was found unresponsive in his personal vehicle at the Atlanta Police Annex.

The Cobb County Sheriff's Office, Virginia State Police, Dalton Police and the McDuffie County Sheriff's Office joins other agencies in sending condolences via Facebook.