Atlanta officer, suspect hit by drunk driver during chase, police say

ATLANTA - A foot chase ended in an ambulance ride to the hospital early Tuesday after both an Atlanta police officer and the person he was pursuing were struck in the street by a suspected drunk driver.

Atlanta police have identified Officer Robert Golden as the victim. He has only been working as a sworn in officer for three years, according to the department.

"You have an officer of the police department who was protecting his community this morning attempting to apprehend an armed individual, when the initial indication is that he was struck by a drunk driver," Atlanta Police Department Chief Darin Schierbaum told FOX 5 outside Grady Memorial Hospital.

Officer Robert Golden (Credit: Atlanta Police Department) (Supplied)

Investigators say the initial call to which officers were responding was a disturbance involving an armed person on the 3800 block of Jonesboro Road.

The police were told a man was threatening a woman with a firearm.

(FOX 5)

After police spotted the suspect, officials said he fled the scene on foot. Officer Golden then chased the individual across the road, where they were both hit.

Medics rushed both men to the emergency room. Officer Golden had the worst injuries.

"That officer and family needs your prayers. APD will be here with family until he makes a full recovery which is what our prayers are for this morning," Schierbaum said.

Jason Haynes was arrested and charged once he was released from the hospital. (Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office)

Jason Haynes was identified as the driver who hit the officer and the suspect. Haynes was arrested once he was released from the hospital. He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol less safe, driving too fast for conditions, driving-improper and erratic lane changes, and two counts of serious injury by vehicle.

The Atlanta Police Department identified Charles Reginald Thomas as the suspect Officer Golden was chasing on the initial 911 call. He was charged with obstruction, three counts of pedestrian in the roadway and discharging a controlled substance.

His family members told FOX 5 he suffers from mental issues.

"They both got hit. It's tragic for the police and tragic for him," the suspect's relative Corey Underwood said as he exited the hospital.

Authorities said Thomas currently has five arrest cycles with the department dating back to April 2006. Most recently, he was arrested on Nov. 22 for possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office's Scorpion Unit are expected to assist Atlanta's department with the DUI incident.