A Hapeville police officer and a pedestrian were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital after a crash on southbound Interstate 85 near the Sylvan Road exit early Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, police said. The collision happened around 5:25 a.m. and blocked all southbound lanes. Police Chief Bruce Hedley said the officer was responding to a pedestrian in the roadway when another vehicle hit her patrol car from behind. The officer was alert, conscious and breathing when taken to the hospital, with shoulder pain, according to police. The pedestrian was transported with injuries described as unknown. The driver who struck the patrol car told police the vehicle was in cruise control and that he did not see the officer’s flashing lights. Police had not announced any charges as of Wednesday morning.