Officer, motorist killed in hit-and-run accident

EAST POINT - An East Point police officer and a motorist were killed in a hit-and-run accident on Interstate 285 in metro Atlanta early Sunday. <br> <br> Another officer was seriously injured in the accident. <br> <br> Officer Christopher Betts, 26, was killed after he and his partner, Officer James Weinman, 27, were called to investigate a report of a suspicious vehicle along I-285 around 1 a.m. <br> <br> The suspect resisted arrest and the ensuing scuffle spilled out onto the right hand lane of the busy highway. <br> <br> Three cars struck the men, with one dragging Betts ``for some distance&#39;&#39; along the road, East Point Police Chief Frank Brown said. Two of the cars stopped but the third kept going, he said. <br> <br> Betts and the initial suspect, who was not carrying identification, were killed instantly. <br> <br> East Point police said they are looking for a burgundy car with extensive front-end damage. <br> <br> ``We lost one of our brothers today,&#39;&#39; Lt. Cliff Gibson said. <br> <br> Weinman was airlifted to Atlanta Medical Center where he underwent surgery. He sustained injuries to his leg and fractured his pelvis, Gibson said. He remains in serious but stable condition. <br> <br> Sunday&#39;s accident was the first time an officer has been killed in the line of duty in East Point since 1969, Brown said. <br> <br> ``We know these things are apt to happen but this department has been very lucky,&#39;&#39; he said. ``This is an unfortunate accident.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Betts and Weinman attended the police academy together. They each had about two years experience as police officers. <br> <br> Betts is survived by his wife, Shannon Betts, and seven-week-old son Trenton James Betts.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/12/186332