Cobb investigators said a 33-year-old Canton man was fleeing authorities at a high rate of speed on I-575 southbound when he crossed the grass median at Barrett Parkway, continued south in the northbound lanes and smashed into Sgt. M.J. Crider's patrol car.
Police said Christopher Richards first eluded authorities in Cherokee County, who were trying to stop him on suspicion of impaired driving. Richards, in a silver Honda Civic, fled south on I-575 into Cobb County, where police attempted to stop him again at the Chastain Road exit. He crossed the median around 10:50 a.m. Saturday and hit Crider, who was traveling northbound in the left-hand lane, police said.
Police said Crider was supervising the pursuit.
Cobb County Public Safety Director Mickey Lloyd commended the sergeant for his actions on Saturday night.
"This officer was in the right place at the right time," Lloyd said. "No telling how many people could have been killed if that driver had made it into oncoming traffic."
Following the crash, Crider was transported via helicopter to Grady, suffering from non-life threatening injuries. Richards was flown to Atlanta Medical Center and was still in intensive care as of Monday afternoon. Investigators believe the crash was alcohol related and expect to charge Richards accordingly.
A Cobb Police officer for about 12 years, Crider, 44, served as a sergeant for the last three years and worked as a road supervisor. Police spokesman Officer Joe Hernandez said Crider was in a lot of pain and on medication Monday afternoon. Crider is expected to return to his post once he has recovered, Hernandez said.
Crider is not married and Cobb Police would not release his city of residence for privacy purposes.
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