Suspected drunk driver crashes into Atlanta police car, booked on DUI, reckless driving charges

Written by: A. Smith

Published November 14, 2025 @ 7:30 AM ET

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – A suspected drunk driver struck an Atlanta police vehicle Tuesday night, authorities said.

Atlanta Police said officers responded around 11:30 p.m. to reports of a crash at the intersection of Peachtree Road and Peachtree Battle Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found a black Mercedes GLE blocking traffic and a patrol car with its airbags deployed.

Police identified the driver of the Mercedes as James Rankin. Officers said Rankin gave inconsistent accounts of the crash and displayed signs of impairment, including slurred speech and the odor of alcohol.

Officers attempted to administer field sobriety tests, but Rankin refused. They obtained a search warrant for his blood and transported him to a hospital for testing.

Rankin faces multiple charges, including failure to yield when turning left, DUI per se, DUI less safe, and reckless driving. He was booked into the Atlanta city jail, and his blood sample was sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for analysis.