Driver Accused Of Sideswiping Marietta Patrol Car Remains At Large

MARIETTA, GA — Police have identified the suspect accused of sideswiping a parked police car while two officers were sitting inside of it on Interstate 75 northbound near Delk Road.

Marietta Police said Tuesday warrants have been obtained to charge Artavian Leon Brown, 32, of Marietta, in connection with the May 19 crash. He remained at large as of Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Brown was accused of sideswiping the parked patrol car around 2:45 a.m. while the officers were responding to another crash on I-75, police said. The patrol car's emergency lights were activated at the time, police said.

The officers who were inside of the patrol car were not seriously injured in the crash and were taken to a hospital for treatment, police said. After hitting the patrol car, police said Brown kept driving and fled the scene.

The Cobb County Real Time Crime Center aided officers in identifying Brown's vehicle, a white Lexus SUV, police said. The SUV was later seen in Gwinnett County, police said.

Through video footage, police said officers determined Brown removed the SUV's license plate shortly after hitting the patrol car.

Warrants were obtained to charge Brown on suspicion of criminal interference with government property, hit and run, failure to move over, headlight violation, obstruction/hindering law enforcement, too fast for conditions, improper lane change, reckless driving and improper display of license plate, police said.

Police ask anyone with information on Brown's whereabouts to call investigators at (770) 794-5357.