Injured GCPS Resource Officer Recovering at Home

The Gwinnett Public Schools' resource officer who was injured in a traffic accident in February is now recovering at home. And a large fund-raiser is being planned in his behalf.

According to a recent Facebook post, officer Rolando Jimenez was released from hospitalization in early April.

The post read in part:

Officer Jimenez has been home for 9 days now and the time has really flown by. We are having fun doing things as a family. He missed the everyday craziness of being home. We've gone out several times to restaurants and some stores. Officer Jimenez has done well navigating out in the community with his walker and wheelchair. He's also enjoyed having some visitors at home.

Jimenez was injured in February when he was hit by a vehicle while he was directing traffic in front of Lanier High.

Also, according to Facebook, the Gwinnett Braves will be holding a fund-raiser for the officer on June 9. (See the screenshot of the attached flier.)

The flier needs to be filled out for the Jimenez family to receive the benefits. Also, order forms have to be in to Lanier High before May 6 to have all the supporters seated together, the post said.

According to Gwinnett Police, the accident happened when Jimenez signaled for the southbound traffic to stop. Jimenez directed northbound vehicles in the left turn lane to turn left into the school property.

The driver failed to obey Jimenez’s direction to stop and struck Jimenez as the other vehicles were turning left. Jimenez went airborne and landed in the left turn lane for the high school.

The driver then struck a vehicle turning left head-on and pushed that vehicle onto Jimenez. The second vehicle, a red 2012 Ford Focus, was driven by student at Lanier High.

Sydney Smigiel, 22, of Buford is facing "at minimum" charges for failing to obey traffic directions, police said.

See also:

• How Is Injured GCPS Resource Officer Recovering?

• Buford Driver Facing Charges in Accident That Injured GCPS Officer

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