A high school student allegedly hit a school resource officer and then fled the scene, leaving other students to care for the downed officer and to call for help.
But police caught the 17-year-old student suspect after a short chase ended in a fiery crash Thursday morning in Gwinnett County.
The officer, who has been identified as Mr. Chuck McCallum, was taken to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries, according to media reports.
The incident happened about 10:50 a.m., about 100 yards from Meadowcreek High School, according to Gwinnett County police.
Investigators said the officer was chasing another suspect across the street after an incident at the school when he was hit by the second student at the intersection of Steve Reynolds Boulevard and Windward Lane.
“As officers were arriving on scene, several students were assisting the injured SRO,” police spokesman Cpl. Jake Smith said.
Then one of those students spotted the suspect’s vehicle fleeing down Steve Reynolds Boulevard towards Indian Trail Road and alerted the responding officers who gave chase.
The suspect, driving at a high rate of speed, attempted to turn left from Steve Reynolds Boulevard into a back entrance at Indian Trail Apartment Homes at 1100 Indian Trail Road in Norcross.
The suspect lost control and crashed through a stone sign at the entrance to the complex at 1100 Indian Trail Road.
“The vehicle traveled down a small, steep embankment and came to a stop in a wooded area,” Cpl. Smith said. “As officers approached the vehicle, a small fire broke out in the engine compartment.
“At the same time, the suspect fled on foot into the wooded area.”
The suspect, later identified Mr. Jarvis Ruff, was apprehended after a brief chase. Officers put out the fire with portable fire extinguishers from their vehicles.
The 17-year-old was charged with hit and run, driving without a driver’s license, improper lane change, speeding, reckless driving and failure to report striking an object.
Police have not released the name of the injured officer. They have also not provided any details on the original incident that happened at the school.
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