ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Public Safety said an arrest has been made following a weekend chase that ended in a deadly wreck, killing a state trooper.
Trooper Jimmy Cenescar died after he was trying to arrest a fleeing motorcycle driver on I-85 North in Gwinnett County. Friday, authorities said Gerson Ayala Rodriguez had been taken into custody. He will be charged with felony murder, first-degree homicide, felony fleeing and attempting to elude, and reckless driving as well as other traffic-related charges.
On Sunday, a judge denied bond for Rodriguez.
A crash report offered details about what happened in the fatal crash. It details how Cenescar maneuvered to avoid putting other drivers in danger as the motorcycle "split" two lanes to get away.
According to the report, as the motorcycle was directly ahead of the chasing trooper, it suddenly took the dangerous "split maneuver."
Trooper Cenescar initially attempted to continue the pursuit; the report notes, "However, both lanes were occupied by motorists traveling north." Cenescar "took evasive actions to avoid these vehicles" and "lost control and began rotating clockwise traveling towards the east shoulder." At that point, the trooper veered off the roadway, eventually going down an embankment and hitting trees and drainage rocks.
The report lastly describes how Gwinnett County Fire/EMS arrived on the scene to pull Trooper Cenescar from his vehicle and perform lifesaving measures. Tragically, the trooper was pronounced deceased at Northside Gwinnett Hospital.
According to the report, the motorcycle continued fleeing northbound.
After DPS shared the news of the arrest Friday, Gov. Brian Kemp said on the X platform, "We’re thankful for the tireless work of the @GA_DPS who have apprehended this suspect and secured this step toward justice for one of Georgia’s fallen heroes."
DPS said Rodriguez was taken into custody by Georgia State Patrol and Gwinnett County Police Department.
"We want to thank all of our law enforcement partners who helped make this possible," DPS said in a statement. "Also, we ask everyone to keep Tpr. Cenescar’s family in their thoughts as they continue to navigate this difficult time."
Trooper Cenescar had been with GSP since January 2023 and was a graduate of the 114th Trooper School, DSP said. In 2021, 11Alive and other news organizations reported when he helped save a man's life as an Atlanta Police Department officer.
For two days next week, law enforcement, family and friends will pause to honor his life and legacy. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Crowell Brothers Funeral Home. His funeral will be the following day, Friday, Feb. 9, at Mount Paran Church. For details on the arrangements, click here.