Man ran over and dragged by suspected drunk driver in Atlanta

JANUARY 25, 2022

 

GEORGIA — New video shows the moment a man identified as Jeff Whitmire was ran over and dragged by a suspected drunk driver outside a bar in Atlanta.

The incident took place on January 7 at the Friends on Ponce bar located at 736 Ponce de Leon Avenue.

Police say the man in the car, who was previously at the bar, came up to the bar asking staff for medical assistance.

Whitmire, who had previously worked at the bar, suggested the man get some air as paramedics were called. The man then walked outside accompanied by a friend while Whitmire turned around to go back for some water. That’s when police say the man got in his car.

Surveillance footage of the incident shows the intoxicated driver smashing into parked vehicles before running over Whitmire in the parking lot and taking off.

Whitmire suffered injuries to his left shoulder, right knee and a hematoma to the back of the head and was taken to a hospital for treatment, according to the police incident report.

The driver, identified as Payton Wells, returned to the Friends on Ponce bar this past Friday, where he was detained by security until police arrived at the scene and took him custody. 

Wells was released within 24 hours following his arrest and charged with a hit-and-run.