Clayton News Daily

Photo by Heather Middleton

By Mehgaan Jones

mjones@news-daily.com

A 32-year-old truck driver has been arrested in connection with a wreck Thursday morning, that seriously injured a Clayton County police officer, on I-675.

Nicholas Veasley, of Madison, was charged with serious injury by vehicle, following too closely, and too fast for conditions, according to Georgia State Patrol spokesman Gordy Wright.

The injured officer, Clayton County Police Sgt. Clinton Nicholas, 38, was following a Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) crew, southbound on I-675, according to Clayton County Police Public Information Officer, Capt. Tina Daniel.

"They were going approximately seven miles per hour," said Capt. Daniel. The DOT trucks were re-painting the lines on the highway, she said, and drivers were alerted of the roadwork by flashing arrow signs, on DOT trucks, she added.

"The box truck rear-ended the officer at full speed," Capt. Daniel said.

Police said Veasley was driving a five-ton box truck when he crashed into Sgt. Nicholas' police vehicle, on I-675 southbound, south of Anvil Block Road.

Wright said Georgia State Patrol Troopers were called to the scene of the crash, at 11:51 a.m.

Following the crash, police said Sgt. Nicholas was transported by helicopter to Grady Memorial Hospital, in Atlanta.

"Sergeant Nicholas is currently in stable condition," said Capt. Daniel.

"There were no other injuries," she added. According to Daniel, southbound lanes on I-675 were closed from 11:40 a.m., until 1:50 p.m.

Nicholas Veasley was in custody at the Clayton County Jail on Thursday.