Decatur man sentenced to 25 years for injuring officer during traffic stop

Derric Alexander Simpson

A Decatur man has been sentenced to 25 years for injuring a police officer during a 2019 traffic stop in Dunwoody. Derric Alexander Simpson, 40, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and fleeing police.

What we know:

The incident occurred on Aug. 1, 2019, when police stopped Simpson for distracted driving. Officers smelled marijuana and requested to search his car. Simpson attempted to flee, driving off with Officer Nathan Daley partially inside the vehicle. Simpson swerved through traffic at high speeds, causing Officer Daley to fall onto the pavement, sustaining serious injuries. Simpson continued driving, hitting multiple vehicles before crashing and fleeing on foot. He was arrested shortly after.

Judge Nora Polk sentenced Simpson to 25 years, with 10 years in custody and the rest on probation. Simpson, who has a prior criminal history, will not be eligible for early parole.

Officer Daley suffered a severed ligament, road rash, and a head injury. He was treated at Northside Hospital and has since recovered.

The case was prosecuted by DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston’s office, with support from the Dunwoody Police Department. Authorities emphasized the importance of holding Simpson accountable for endangering public safety and law enforcement.

DeKalb CountyCrime and Public SafetyNews