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Police cruiser in wreck, officer not injured
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A Hinesville Police Department traffic accident investigator was struck head-on after a traffic stop Tuesday afternoon.

Officer Les Patton had just finished a traffic stop on Glenn Bryant Road near Deer Wood Circle when his patrol car was struck head-on by a pickup, according to GSP Trooper Henry Gilliard.

The accident occurred at 1:33 p.m. The driver, identified as James Balsemo, was driving a Toyota Tundra toward South Main Street when he apparently drifted into Patton's lane. Patton, who was getting ready to drive away, was not injured.

Balsemo was taken to Liberty Regional Medical Center in Hinesville, complaining of minor injuries. Balsemo was charged with driving on the wrong side of the road.

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