Athens-Clarke County police officer injured after aggravated assault

An Athens-Clarke County police officer sustained injuries to her arm after being dragged by a suspect’s car while attempting to question the driver.

Below is the full press release from the ACCPD: 

On 04/26/2020, at approximately 9:00 PM, while on patrol on Preserve Drive, ACCPD Officer Torie Teets observed a tan 2003 Nissan Altima driving recklessly and at high speeds on Preserve Drive. Fearing that she would be struck, she moved to the side of the road as far as possible and activated her emergency lights. The reckless vehicle crashed into another car and came to a stop after rolling backwards into the curb.

Officer Teets ran to the aid of the driver while seeing smoke coming from under the hood of the car. When she tried to get the driver, Frank Reyes, 26, of Athens, out of the vehicle, he appeared unconscious. He regained consciousness, and started the vehicle again, ignoring Officer Teets’ verbal commands. He drove away from the scene, dragging the officer with him for a distance. This resulted in injury to her arm.

Officers located the vehicle a short time later nearby. A short vehicle chase ensued. The driver was taken into custody after the vehicle suffered mechanical failure.

Reyes was charged with: Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Fleeing and Attempting to Elude, DUI-Alcohol, Driving Without a Valid license, Failure to Maintain Lane, Driving With Cancelled Registration, Hit and Run (Duty Upon Striking Unattended Vehicle) and No Insurance.

Officer Teets was treated and released from a local hospital.