A 19-year-old is in the intensive care unit at Grady Memorial Hospital after suffering a broken neck and a spinal cord injury while running from McDonough police, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Jaylin Hughes was injured after an officer used his Taser on the teenager as he attempted to climb a fence and get away, authorities told the news station.
Officers tried to arrest Hughes and three others June 12 after they were seen smoking marijuana in a car parked at an apartment complex along Flowers Creek Drive, according to police.
“He attempted to climb the fence and was unsuccessful,” McDonough police Maj. Kyle Helgerson said. “The officer gave verbal notice that he was going to deploy his Taser and did ... Apparently Mr. Hughes’ momentum pulled him over the fence and he slipped out of the officer’s hands.”
The incident is the subject of an internal affairs investigation, Channel 2 reported.
But Hughes’ family said they’re concerned he may never walk again.
“I’m having trouble trying to understand how a minor incident leaves a kid paralyzed,” Jaylin’s uncle, Sidney Hughes, told Channel 2.
Hughes is charged with obstruction and possession of marijuana, police said.
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