According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety Public Information Office, On October 17th, 2023, at 4:00 AM, Troopers responded to an accident on Cloud Springs Road (SR 146) at Hillcrest Drive in Catoosa County. It was determined that a DUI BOLO had been issued for a black Cadillac Escalade, with the driver passed out in the vehicle. Officer Woodard with the Fort Oglethorpe Police Department located the suspect vehicle on Hillcrest Drive, east of Cloud Springs Road, stationary on the wrong side of roadway. Officer Woodard positioned his patrol vehicle in the southbound turn lane of Cloud Springs Road at Hillcrest Drive while waiting for a Catoosa County Deputy, due to the location being outside of the city limits. Shortly thereafter, the suspect approached the intersection, continued without stopping at the stop sign, and struck a curb in the median before striking Officer Woodard’s patrol vehicle in the driver’s door, trapping Officer Woodard until other officers arrived to assist him out the passenger side. The suspect, James Larkin Ryan Cook, 39, of Ringgold, GA, was taken into custody by Troopers at the scene. Deputy Woodard was transported to CHI Memorial Hospital with injuries. Cook was booked into the Catoosa County Jail, charged with DUI and several other traffic related charges.
Fort Oglethorpe officer injured after patrol vehicle struck by DUI driver early Tuesday morning
