Authorities have released the identities of the wrong-way driver who struck a Georgia State Patrol trooper on Friday night.
William Hawkins, 24, of Augusta, was identified as the man driving a Toyota 4Runner the wrong way on Riverwatch Parkway around 11:09 p.m., authorities say. GSP Trooper Zach Walker, a local father of three (pictured above), was struck head-on by the suspect’s SUV, leading to serious injuries to both men.
“The trooper sustained serious injuries, and had to be extricated from the vehicle. He along with the other driver were transported to Wellstar MCG,” said TFC2 Joshua Staff with the Georgia State Patrol’s Public Information Office.
Hawkins is reportedly in critical condition while Trooper Walker was treated for serious injuries and is expected to recover.
“TFC Walker is stable, but has a long road to recovery,” Staff said.
Shocking video posted to social media shows an SUV driver on the wrong side of the parkway. And additional video shows the aftermath of a subsequent crash, with a nurse from a local hospital talking to the driver and the victim’s vehicle underneath the back tires of the SUV.
GSP officials did not comment on whether alcohol played a role in the crash, and no charges have yet been filed as the suspect continues to fight for his life.
