Twiggs County Deputy Injured When Patrol Car Struck at I-16 Scene

TWIGGS COUNTY, GA – A Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office deputy was knocked unconscious early Saturday morning when their stationary, marked patrol vehicle was struck from behind by a motorist on Interstate 16. The deputy was blocking lanes for a Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) crime scene related to an earlier officer-involved shooting.

The incident occurred on July 19, 2025, at approximately 2:30 a.m. The deputy’s patrol unit, with emergency equipment activated, was hit from the rear by a vehicle traveling at typical interstate speed (70 mph). The impact rendered the deputy unconscious, and they were transported to the hospital with visible injuries. The family in the vehicle that struck the patrol unit was treated at the scene by EMS and released.

The Georgia State Patrol has taken over the crash investigation. The injured deputy was released from the hospital later that same afternoon.

This alarming incident serves as a critical reminder for drivers to be exceptionally mindful and cautious around emergency scenes. Authorities are pleading with motorists: “PLEASE SLOW DOWN when you see emergency lights activated on the highway; be it Fire, Police or Ambulance, and leave as much space as possible between your vehicle and the emergency site.”

This event underscores the vital importance of slowing down, moving over to create space for first responders, and being acutely aware of potential changes in traffic patterns when emergency personnel are responding to incidents.