Officer Rolando Jimenez's wife Melissa said he's in serious but stable condition following surgery for internal bleeding and to set a broken jaw. He also suffered a broken pelvis and a knee injury in the morning accident in front of Lanier High School.
"While we know that he has a long recovery ahead of him, we are thankful that he is alive and look forward to the day when he is able to return home and to the work he loves," Melissa Jimenez told Gwinnett County School officials.
Lanier High School Junior Meg Gregory spoke with Fox 5 following the accident.
"Everyone was just trying to make sure he was ok, and that he was going to be fine. People were really upset."
Officer Jimenez was directing traffic in front of the school when he was hit.
Gwinnett Police Cpl. Edwin Ritter told Fox 5 that all safety measures were in place.
"Traffic lights were flashing at the time, indicating that was a school zone, and to slow down and use caution. He was out there with a traffic vest on, with a traffic safety wand."
Police earlier said a vehicle traveling southbound on Buford Highway hit Jimenez. It then hit another vehicle, which rolled over the officer who had been knocked to the ground.
Charges are pending against the suspect driver, 22-year-old Sydney Smigiel of Buford.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/2/258321