On September 13, 2023, at 11 PM, Lawrenceville Police Sergeant Peterson was conducting traffic enforcement on State Route 316 when he spotted a vehicle traveling in excess of the posted speed limit. Sgt. Peterson attempted to execute a traffic stop by activating his emergency equipment; however, the vehicle continued driving at a high rate of speed in an attempt to elude our officer. Sgt. Peterson decided not to continue pursuing the vehicle and instead follow-up through investigative means. Minutes after turning his emergency equipment off, Sgt. Peterson drove up to an overturned vehicle on Auto Sales Boulevard near SR 316.
Sgt. Peterson immediately recognized the vehicle as the one fleeing from him minutes earlier. After assessing for injuries, Sgt. Peterson noticed the driver had been partially ejected through the sunroof and had his upper body and head squeezed in between the vehicle and the roadway. After Sgt. Peterson realized that the driver was having issues breathing, he immediately came up with a plan, and with the assistance of bystanders and additional officers, they were able to lift the 3,600 pound vehicle and rescue the injured driver.
The 19-year-old driver sustained severe injuries and was taken to a local hospital to receive treatment. Sgt. Peterson obtained multiple warrants for the arrest of the driver upon his release from the hospital. Among the charges, the driver will be charged with speeding, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, and fleeing to elude a police officer.