A Liberty County K-9 Deputy was injured Sunday shortly after 5:30 a.m. when his patrol car was rear ended on East Oglethorpe Highway. He was taken to Liberty Regional Medical Center for treatment. 

According to Liberty County Sheriff Steve Sikes, a Liberty County Deputy had initiated a traffic stop for a traffic infraction not far from Liberty County High School.  K-9 Officer Jack Baker stopped to assist the officer and when the traffic stop had wrapped up, Baker parked several feet off the shoulder of the westbound lane to run radar.  

Baker’s rear view radar detected a vehicle approaching with speeds allegedly reaching 90 mph.  At one point the speeding black Mustang veered to the left side of the road and went back onto the right side when it struck Baker’s patrol vehicle propelling the officer and his dog an estimated 60 to 70 feet. Baker sustained neck and back injuries, according to Sikes.

The driver, identified as Ryan Duke, was taken to Liberty Regional Medical Center also, released and taken to the Liberty County Jail where he was booked on DUI charges by the Georgia State Patrol.  Duke also faces charges of disorderly conduct, obstructing or hindering law enforcement officers, speeding in excess of maximum limits (state speed and zone limits), and weaving over roadway. The canine, whose name has not been released, was not injured in the accident.