ATHENS, Ga. — An Athens police officer and father of 6 is recovering from a horrific crash with a suspect that he was lucky to survive, family members said.
Sgt. Paul Davidson has to be extracted from his patrol car with the jaws of life after a suspect that fled from a traffic stop in a neighboring county slammed into him while he was stopped at a stop light last week.
The incident happened early Monday morning. Athens Clarke-County Police told the Athens Banner-Herald that Henry Daniel Greene, 25, of Winder, sped away from a traffic stop in Barrow County after being stopped for a broken tail light. Greene led police on a chase along Atlanta Highway that reached up to 105 mph before losing control and slamming into Davidson’s stationary patrol car.
Davidson was not involved in the chase.
After he was cut out of the smashed car, Davidson was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. Greene and two passengers were taken to the hospital with minor injures.
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In an update on Facebook, Davidson’s wife, Grace, said that Davidson sustained a concussion and a gash on the head that required staples, but luckily, he had no broken bones (WARNING: Link contains graphic images). Davidson is now at home recovering.
“He survived. Thank god,” Grace Davidson wrote on Facebook. “My husband surely has a guardian angel watching over him. Being a cop’s wife is not easy. You worry every night. Is he going to come home? Can I go to bed now without worrying? It’s our reality every day.”
Grace Davidson told Channel 2 Action News that the outpouring of support for her husband has been overwhelming and that she is just grateful to have him back home with his family.
Davidson is the father of a large blended family of five daughters and a son.
“Last week, we were talking about retiring at the beach together, and today, I’m just completely satisfied and in love with watching him recover in his recliner,” Grace Davidson said. “Life can change so quickly. I believe there’s a special plan for Paul. He’s the love of our lives, all six of our kids, We treasure every day and know we are so lucky to have our family together.”
Greene faces multiple charges. The Georgia State Patrol is investigating and said the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office will file additional charges.
Cox Media Group
