Truck Driver Arrested After Ramming Cordele Police Cars
Early this morning at around 1:40 a.m., Calvin Ellis Jr., a 29-year-old truck driver from Jackson, Mississippi, was arrested after he refused to leave the Horizon Travel Center at 2302 Hwy 300. Ellis, operating a 2023 Freightliner with a trailer, intentionally rammed his truck into two Cordele Police cars. One of the patrol cars involved still had an officer inside.
The incident began when the store owner asked Ellis to leave the property. The owner then requested the officer on the scene to speak with Ellis. When the officer instructed Ellis to leave, Ellis became highly irate and refused to comply. Despite being told he would be arrested if he did not exit the vehicle, Ellis ignored the orders.
Ellis continued to refuse to unlock the driver’s door or exit the truck. Instead, he shifted the vehicle into gear, drove forward, and collided with a patrol car. He then reversed a significant distance before driving forward again, hitting another patrol car with an officer inside. Ellis pushed the patrol car several feet before stopping, which allowed officers to access his truck and unlock the door. He was then taken into custody by responding officers and Crisp County Deputies.
Ellis was transported to Crisp Regional Hospital for medical clearance before being moved to Crisp County Jail. He faces several charges, including:
- Aggravated Assault against a Peace Officer
- Obstruction
- Criminal Trespass
- Interference with Government Property
- Criminal Damage to Property
Authorities are relieved that no officers were seriously injured, and they extend their gratitude to the Crisp County Deputies who assisted.
