Cop Hit By Man Accused Of DUI On Ga. 400

FORSYTH COUNTY, GA -- A Forsyth County sheriff's deputy was injured early Saturday when he was hit by a suspected drunk driver while he was stationed inside his patrol vehicle on Ga. 400.

Deputy First Class Rod Reeves was sitting in the patrol vehicle on the shoulder near Majors Road working traffic enforcement when a 2005 Ford Explorer struck the back of the deputy's car, said sheriff's office spokesperson Deputy Doug Rainwater.

The driver of the Explorer has been identified as Aaron Riley Russell, 27, who is suspected of being under the influence at the time of this crash, Rainwater added. Russell was also driving on a suspected/revoked Georgia's drivers license and was considered a habitual violator. He was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Rainwater told Patch that Reeves is a former officer with the Sandy Springs Police Department. His LinkedIn profile indicates Reeves was employed for 10 years and six months with SSPD before he moved to Forsyth County. Sandy Springs police spokesperson Sgt. Sam Worsham said the agency's "thoughts and prayers are with officer Reeves and his family."

On its Facebook page, the sheriff's office added Lt. McCarron went to Reeves's home, and took his wife to the hospital to be with her husband following the collision. A deputy is assigned at the hospital to be with the Reeves family.

"FCSO would like to give several THANK YOU's to the Forsyth County Fire and EMS," the agency added. "They literally had to cut Deputy Reeves out of his patrol car."

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the crash.

"This is just another reminder of what our deputies face every day," the sheriff's office continued. "Please be in prayer for Deputy First Class Rod Reeves and his family. He has a long road ahead but as a community and a Sheriff's Office, we have him covered with thoughts, love and prayers."

Images via Forsyth County Sheriff's Office