CARNESVILLE – A Franklin County deputy sheriff was treated and released after being struck by a truck while searching a stolen vehicle on I-85 on New Year’s Eve.
“A Franklin County deputy conducted a traffic stop on a stolen vehicle on Interstate 85 southbound at mile marker 160,” said Sgt. Richard Fleming of Georgia State Patrol Post 52 Hartwell.
The traffic stop took place about 8:45 p.m. Thursday, said Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas.
“While two deputies were searching the vehicle, a U-Haul failed to move over and struck the patrol car and the stolen vehicle,” Fleming said. “The impact caused moderate injuries to the deputy, who was searching on the driver’s side.”
Thomas said the second deputy was able to get the injured deputy out of the road.
The driver of the truck stopped past the accident scene and has been charged by GSP with failure to move over.
The injured deputy, whose name has not been released yet, was transported to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center, where he was treated then released Friday.
“We are very lucky and thank God that my deputy is recovering at his home,” Thomas said.
