Police officer injured after motorist crashes into accident scene

A Ringgold police officer was hospitalized Monday afternoon, June 5, after a man crashed into two patrol cars at an accident scene along Interstate 75 while officers were attempting to help a stranded motorist.

According to Ringgold Police Chief Dan Bilbrey, detectives Wilborn Dycus and Patrick Mason were working multiple traffic accidents near the 348 mile marker as the result of a vehicle losing its drive shaft along I-75.

“Officers were in the process of clearing the scene when a motorist, not obeying the “Move Over Law,” struck two city of Ringgold police units who were responding to assist other units already on scene,” Bilbrey said.

Bilbrey says the police vehicles had their blue warning lights activated at the time of the incident.

Detective Mason, who was not in his vehicle at the time, escaped the incident unharmed. However, Dycus, who was in his vehicle, had to be extricated from the vehicle.

“He (Dycus) sustained several broken bones and may require surgery,” Bilbrey said.

The agency says Dycus is in good spirits and is expected to make a full recovery.

Georgia State Trooper First Class Brian Dedmon says he worked the scene also, and charged the driver with two traffic offenses.

“The driver, Veodis Gaines, failed to maintain his lane and struck both Dycus and Mason’s vehicles,” Dedmon said. “I charged Mr. Gaines with failure to maintain lane and the “Move Over Law”.

Bilbrey and the Ringgold Police Department want to extend their thanks and appreciation to the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Department, Georgia State Patrol, MCCD, and Catoosa County Fire and EMS for their assistance during this incident.

“We also want to thank the community for the outpouring of thoughts and prayers for the officers involved,” Bilbrey said.