CONYERS, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — An officer is recovering after he was drugged by a car while trying to conduct a traffic stop on New Year’s Eve in Conyers, according to police.
On Dec. 31, 2025, just after 4 p.m., a Conyers Police traffic officer stopped a car that had a broken light and a tinted tag cover.
According to police, the officer suspected the driver, 55-year-old William Cornelius, was under the influence, as the driver became non-compliant and started resisting. The officer used his taser, but Cornelius kept resisting.
Police say Cornelius went back to the driver’s seat as the officer “attempted to remove him from the vehicle.” Cornelius then put the car in drive, causing the officer to be dragged about 35-40 feet until he was able to let go of the car.
A description of Cornelius’ car was reported, and officers found the car near West Avenue and Interstate 20. They chased Cornelius until a precision immobilization technique (PIT) manuever was used to stop the car.
Cornelius was taken into custody and taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. According to police, he is being charged with aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer, felony fleeing and eluding, obstruction and several traffic-related violations.
The Conyers officer was taken to a hospital for injuries. Police said he is “now at home resting and recovering.”
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