March 14, 2009

AUGUSTA---Richmond County Deputy Jason Turner, 29, is at MCG this morning recovering after being hit by a car while on the scene of another accident.

Supervisors tell us Turner, of Martinez, has no broken bones or other serious injuries and is in stable condition this morning. We're told he is being kept overnight for observation.

This all started around 8:30 pm Sunday on the 3300 block of Milledgeville Road. Deputies tell us Turner and several other deputies were working a hit and run accident with injuries involving multiple vehicles.

Supervisors tell News 12 the deputies had wrapped up their investigation and were getting ready to clear the scene when Turner spotted some debris in the suicide lane. We're told he went to retrieve it hoping it would be evidence to help identify the car or person who caused the hit and run accident they were investigating.

Preliminary reports suggest Turner stepped in front of the oncoming car, causing the accident.

"The officer was in the middle of the street and a car came along and hit him," witness Deshawn Coatney told News 12.

"Out of the blue this car came and went around the two other officers and, next thing you know, hit that third officer," she said.

"It was amazing. I've never witnessed anything like that in my life and never want to again."

Georgia State Patrol is investigating this accident at the request of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office. News 12 is told the female driver will likely not be charged because this was an accident.