GSP: Kennesaw Man Hits Atlanta Police Car, Officer in Serious Condition

An Atlanta police officer is in serious condition at Grady Hospital with head and chest injuries after a suspected drunk driver from Kennesaw allegedly hit his patrol car.

Scott Eugene Welker, 45, was driving a 2011 Hyundai Sonata around 11:25 p.m. Friday when he hit Officer Osbert Beckles' patrol car, Georgia State Patrol spokesman Gordy Wright said.

Beckles, who was working traffic on Interstate 75 at Northside Parkway at the time of the accident, had to be extricated from his vehicle, Wright said.

Welker fled the scene on foot but was captured nearby a short time later, Wright said. He was arrested and taken to the Fulton County Jail, where he is being held on charges of driving under the influence, serious injury by motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, improper turn/improper lane change and seat belt violation.

In addition to suffering head and chest injuries, Beckles is being treated at Grady for broken bones, said Officer John Chafee, spokesman for the Atlanta Police Department.

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