VALDOSTA — Valdosta Police officers were assaulted after a collision resulting from an arrest attempt.
Authorities report that on Tuesday at approximately 3:45 p.m., two VPD officers were involved in a physical struggle with an offender in the 900 block of Lausanne Drive.
The two VPD officers had received injuries and were calling for assistance from other officers in capturing the suspect who had fled the area after assaulting the officers. Officers were responding to the scene when vehicles driven by a VPD Sergeant and a Lowndes County Deputy collided at the intersection of E. Gordon St. and N. Troupe St. The VPD Ford Mustang was traveling east on E. Gordon and the deputy vehicle was traveling north on N. Troupe St when they collided.
The police vehicle also struck a tree in the yard of a residence located on the northeast corner of the intersection. The VPD Sergeant was taken to SGMC with arm injuries, and it appears that both vehicles received substantial damage. The traffic accident is under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol. The Valdosta Police Department is conducting an administrative review of the accident.
Georgia law and VPD policy allows for police officers responding to emergency situations to disregard certain traffic regulations as long as due regard and care is used. Multiple officers from various agencies were responding to assist the two officers who were injured and unable to detain the offender.
Demetrius Nelson, 27 year old Valdosta resident got into a physical altercation as he was being taken into custody in the 900 block of Lausanne Drive. Nelson was wanted for Probation Violation and was also being investigated for taking a vehicle that did not belong to him and also for removing items from the vehicle.
The two officers injured on Lausanne were taken to SGMC where they were treated and released. One officer sustained a head injury while the second officer received cuts and bruises and a possible head injury. Nelson was charged with two counts of felony obstruction. Nelson is being held in the Lowndes County Jail pending further investigation and consideration of additional charges.
