COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Three Cobb County Police officers were injured after their motorcycles hit a patch of ice on Tuesday.
According to Cobb County spokesperson Ross Cavitt, the accident happened on Kennesaw Due West Road.
The Georgia State Patrol said six officers on motorcycles were riding in formation coming back from a funeral detail when three of the officers hit a patch of ice, causing them to lose control. GSP said all three were ejected from their bikes. A fourth officer was struck by the other bikes, but was able to hold control of his.
Three officers were hurt, one seriously. That officer is expected to survive, though, Cavitt said. All three were taken to Kennestone Hospital for treatment and the officers with less serious injuries have been released.
As for the source of the water that caused the ice patch, Cavitt said a small water main break was to blame. According to him, no one was aware of the the break at the time.
The break was a slow leak on the service line leading to a house on Kennesaw Due West. Water eventually made its way out of the ground onto the road, forming a big patch of ice.
Kennesaw Due West was closed near Due West for the Georgia State Patrol investigation, Cavitt said. Crews came out, scraped the ice and put salt and gravel on the road.
Photos: 3 officers hurt after motorcycles slip on icy road
WHO ARE THE OFFICERS?
On Wednesday, the Cobb County Police Department released the officers' names and department photos.
Officers Bullis, a 5-year police veteran, and Kynard, a 17-year police veteran, received relatively minor injuries and were home following a brief hospital visit. Sgt. Garrett, an 18-year police veteran, was far more seriously injured, suffering multiple fractures.
Though he is home now, officials said he will require far more medical intervention.
"It's my understanding he was banged up quite a bit. He had some broken bones, a lot of bruises and contusions. He was rushed to Kennesaw hospital where he was stabilized pretty quickly," Cavitt said.
"It's going to take a while before he gets back on the motorcycle but he's expected to be okay."
