Truck driver intentionally rammed police cruisers at travel center with Freightliner, Georgia cops say

A truck driver is facing multiple charges after a confrontation with police at a travel center in Cordele, Georgia on Wednesday.

Twenty-nine year old Mississippi-based truck driver Calvin Ellis Jr. was arrested at 1:40 a.m. on Wednesday, August 14, after he was removed by police from his 2023 Freightliner, according to the Cordele Police Department (CPD).

Ellis was charged with:

• Aggravated Assault against a Peace Officer
• Obstruction
• Criminal Trespass
• Interference with Government Property
• Criminal Damage to Property

Police say that the incident leading to the arrest began when Ellis was asked by the store owner to leave Horizon Travel Center’s property at 2302 Highway 300 in Cordele, but he refused.

The travel center owner asked a police officer on scene to speak to Ellis.

CPD said that when the officer made contact with Ellis and asked him to leave, he “became highly irate and irrational.” The officer reportedly told Ellis he would be free to go, but he still refused to leave the location. Then the officer told Ellis that he would be arrested if he did not leave.

From CPD:

“Ellis refused to leave the truck and also declined to exit the vehicle after being informed that he was going to jail. He repeatedly ignored orders to unlock the driver’s door and step out. Instead, he shifted the truck into gear and drove forward, colliding with a patrol car. Afterward, he reversed a considerable distance before once again driving forward, this time striking a patrol car with an officer inside. Ellis continued to push the patrol car several feet with his semi-truck until he eventually stopped. This allowed officers to access the truck and unlock the door.“

Ellis was taken into police custody with assistance from Crisp County Sheriff’s Deputies.

Ellis was transported to Crisp Regional Hospital for medical evaluation before he was booked into the Crisp County Jail.