Police officer fired after patrol car hits a suspect during a pursuit

CLARKE COUNTY, Ga. - The Athens-Clarke County Police Department has fired an officer that was involved in an incident on Friday during a chase and arrest. 

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Officers Taylor Saulters and Hunter Blackmon saw a suspect, Timmy Patmon near Vine Street and Nelli B Avenue. Patmon had felony warrants, according to an Athens-Clarke County police spokesperson.

Officer Blackmon got out of the patrol car and started chasing Patmon when he started running, but Officer Saulters stayed in the car, police said. 

Saulters attempted to cut off Patmon but ended up hitting a stop sign. Athens-Clarke County Police spokesperson Epifanio Rodriguez said Patmon continued to run on Nelli B Avenue and Saulters tried to cut him off for a second time.

That's when Saulters patrol car collided with Patmon.

Patmon was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment before being turned over to the Clarke County jail, authorities said. He suffered bruises and scrapes and faces charges of obstructing a law enforcement officer and violating probation. 

Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Scott Freeman put Saulters on administrative leave and began an internal affairs investigation. 

In a release sent to FOX 5, the department said, "After reviewing the officers' body camera footage,  and all the other facts and circumstances of this case Chief Scott Freeman terminated the employment of Officer Taylor Saulters."