Deputy Injured By Alleged Distracted Driver: 1 Year Ago

Editor’s Note: One year ago in Peachtree Corners

A driver has been arrested after police say he was distracted by his cell phone and intoxicants when he rear-ended a Gwinnett Sheriff’s patrol car and injured a deputy on Interstate 85 Wednesday night.

The deputy was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries, Gwinnett Police said in a news release.

Police said Joshua S. Kim, 19, of Cleveland, Ga., faces numerous charges, including DUI-Less Safe, driving without valid license, possession of marijuana-less than one ounce, following too close and failing to use due care while using a cell phone.

UPDATE TO THIS STORY

• Alleged Distracted Driver Indicted in Wreck That Injured Gwinnett Deputy

The crash, which occurred around 11 p.m. on southbound I-85 between Indian Trail Road and Jimmy Carter Boulevard, sent Deputy Justin Lunt, 32, to Gwinnett Medical Center. His condition was not known.

Kim was uninjured.

Police said the deputy was helping a maintenance crew working in the H.O.T. lane and had his emergency lights on when the 2015 Kia Optima Kim was driving struck the patrol car and then rolled twice before coming to a stop. The deputy’s car was stopped partially in the inside emergency lane as the crew worked.

Kim told police he was looking at his cell phone and when he looked up he was too close to avoid the collision.

Kim is being held in the Gwinnett County jail.

“Gwinnett County Public Safety is asking for voluntary compliance with all traffic laws. This particular crash was the result of distracted driving, driving under the influence and failing to move over for emergency vehicles,” police said in the news release.

(Photo: Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014 accident on I-85 involving a Gwinnett County Sheriff’s deputy. Credit: Gwinnett Police PIO)