Greene County Patrol Units Struck on I-20 by Driver Using Cell Phone at 80 MPH

Two Greene County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicles were struck early Sunday morning on I-20 while deputies were responding to an unrelated crash, highlighting growing concerns about distracted driving and failure to obey Georgia’s Move Over Law.

According to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, the initial crash occurred around 7:55 a.m. on May 11, 2025, near the 136 mile marker eastbound. While deputies were in the process of clearing the scene, a second collision took place at approximately 8:33 a.m. involving two patrol vehicles parked on the shoulder with emergency lights activated.

The driver of the vehicle that struck the patrol units was identified as Andre Noah-Lee. Witnesses told deputies that Lee was traveling at about 80 miles per hour and appeared to be using his cellphone when he struck the rear of Sergeant Will Smith’s Chevrolet Tahoe. The impact pushed Smith’s vehicle into Deputy Ryan Hall’s Dodge Charger and caused the Tahoe to go airborne, clearing the cable-barrier before coming to a stop.

Both patrol vehicles were stationary and positioned off the roadway. No serious injuries were reported, but the Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the outcome could have been far worse.

Sheriff Donnie Harrison reminded drivers that Georgia is a hands-free state under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241, and drivers are required by law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-16) to move over for emergency vehicles on the roadside. The Sheriff urged motorists to stay alert, avoid distractions, and take the law seriously to prevent further incidents.

The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.