Identity of Trooper Hit in Marietta Released (UPDATE)

Credit: Georgia Department of Transportation

Officers have arrested the suspect who struck a Georgia State Trooper with a vehicle while conducting a traffic stop in Marietta, Cobb County police said Wednesday night.

The trooper, identified as Corporal J.L. Thompson, is awake, alert, and breathing on his own, the Georgia Department of Public Safety announced Thursday afternoon.

Alvaro Jimenez-Santana, 37 of Conyers was arrested and charged with no proof of insurance, driving on suspended registration, fleeing or attempting to elude police officer, aggravated battery on a police officer (2 counts), felony obstruction of a police officer, aggressive driving, and failure to render aid, the Georgia State Patrol said Thursday afternoon. Drug charges are pending against Jimenez-Santana.

Thompson was attempting to conduct a traffic stop at Delk and Franklin roads when Jimenez-Santana drove off and injured Thompson with his vehicle, the agency said. Jimenez-Santana fled the vehicle, which is now in custody.

Cobb County police spokeswoman told Patch just after 9:30 p.m. that the suspect is now in custody. FOX 5 Atlanta says the man is from Conyers and was in possession of one half kilo of heroin at the time of the incident.

All exit lanes of Interstate 75 northbound near Delk Road were closed due to the incident, FOX 5 reports.