Cherokee TV

Driver Arrested After Hitting Deputy's Patrol Car

CTV STAFF
Monday, September 08, 2008

The driver of a vehicle that pulled up behind a Cherokee County Sheriff's Office patrol car during a traffic stop on another vehicle early Monday morning was arrested after he collided into patrol car, the spokesman for the Sheriff's Office said.

Just after midnight on September 8, Deputy Jason Hartigan pulled over a vehicle for running a stop sign at the intersection of Meadows Drive and Timberland Street in south Cherokee County, said Sgt. Jay Baker, public information officer. Immediately after the patrol car stopped, another vehicle stopped directly behind the deputy's patrol car, Baker said.

Deputy Hartigan approached the vehicle that parked behind him and made contact with the driver who was later identified as Elder Munoz-Gonzales, 30, of Woodstock, Baker said. While the deputy was attempting to determine why Gonzales had pulled behind the patrol car, Gonzales took his foot off the brake and his vehicle rolled forward and collided with the patrol car, Baker said.

MUG Elder Munoz-Gonzales

"It was determined that Gonzales was driving under the influence and after a short struggle with the deputy he was placed under arrest," Baker said.

Baker said Gonzales was charged with DUI., driving with no license, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, and obstruction of an officer. He was in the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center with a $3,545 bond as of Monday morning and Gonzales is currently on probation for a DUI arrest that occurred on June 29, Baker said.

 

MUG Rodomiro Zabala

The driver of the vehicle of the initial traffic stop,  Rodomiro Zabala, 30, of Woodstock, was also arrested and charged with driving with no license and failure to stop at a stop sign, Baker said. He also remained in custody Monday morning with a $830 bond, Baker said.