ATLANTA — A Georgia State Patrol trooper was shot and wounded Wednesday after a chase on Interstate 75 north of Atlanta, officials say.
Capt. Mark Perry of the Georgia Department of Public safety identified the trooper as Jacob Fields, who was shot twice, once in the stomach underneath his bulletproof vest and once in the ankle. He is alert and speaking with family at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta, officials said.
After surgery Wednesday evening, officials said Fields had a prognosis for a full recovery.
He has been a trooper for three years.
GBI officials identified the suspect as 26-year-old Israel Vladimir Rodriguez of Acworth. Rodriguez faces charges of aggravated assault on a police officer and numerous other charges related to the pursuit and shooting.
Perry said the trooper tried to pull over a black Chevy Silverado that was traveling at a high rate speed, but the driver refused to stop and a chase ensued. Several other troopers joined the chase over the next 10 miles. As they neared Delk Road on I-75 in suburban Cobb County, the truck crashed into another car and was disabled. When Rodriguez jumped out, shots were exchanged, Perry said.
Perry said all three troopers who exchanged fire with Rodriguez were placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, which is standard procedure.
Rodriguez was hit multiple times in the abdomen area and was in intensive care after undergoing surgery, Perry said.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating at the request of the Georgia State Patrol.
After the shooting, all lanes of I-75 southbound were shut down in Marietta. By 4:30 p.m., two southbound lanes had reopened.
"It's a crime scene and that will take awhile to process," Perry said. "Unfortunately, that crime scene is in the middle of I-75."
Contributing: The Associated Press