Crime & Safety

Update: Meadowcreek High Student Charged in Hit-and-Run of Police Officer

A Gwinnett County school resource officer was hit by a car Thursday morning near the school, says police.

Updated, 5:40 p.m.

A Meadowcreek High student has been charged in the incident involving a school resource officer being hit by a vehicle near the school this morning.

According to Gwinnett County Police, Jarvis Ruff, 17, is being charged with hit and run, driving without a license, improper lane change, speeding, reckless driving and failure to report striking a fixed object. Further charges are under investigation.

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The incident started when the officer was in a foot chase with different student from the school. WSB-TV reports that the student had been involved in a fight.

Pursuing the student across the street, the officer was struck by a different student with his vehicle, and that vehicle fled the scene, according to police. The hit and run occured at the intersection of Steve Reynolds Boulevard and Windward Lane, about 100 yards from the school property.

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Students were assisting the injured officer when other Gwinnett police arrived. One student spotted the suspect's vehicle fleeing down Steve Reynolds in the direction of Indian Trail Road. As the officers followed the car, the suspect attempted to turn left from Steve Reynolds into the back entrance of the Indian Trail Apartment Homes at 1100 Indian Trail Road in unincorporated Norcross at a high rate of speed.

The suspect lost control and crashed through the complex's stone entrance sign, and the vehicle traveled down a small, steep embankment and came to a stop in a wooded area. The suspect fled on foot but was apprehended after a brief chase in the woods.

A smal fire broke out in the engine compartment of the car, but officers were able to put out the fire with portable fire extinguishers.

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The school resource officer was struck by a car at Meadowcreek High School in unincorporated Norcross on Thursday morning.

According to Gwinnett County Police, the officer was involved in a foot chase with an offender when he was hit by the vehicle.

Police responded to the scene and located the suspect's vehicle a short distance away. The suspect fled into the woods, but was caught by responding officers shortly after. 

The school resource officer was transported from the scene by ambulance.

Check back with Patch for more updates on this developing story.

See also:

  • News Nearby: Apparent Self-Defense Homicide Occurs at Duluth Hotel
  • News Nearby: Gwinnett PD Identify Duluth Homicide Victim
  • Trailer Thieves Caught on Video in Lilburn

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