Roswell police are crediting a quick-thinking good Samaritan with helping diffuse a potentially deadly situation.
Police have charged Matthew Perrick, 25, with DUI after they said he was driving under the influence of several drugs.
Brian Cooper told Channel 2's Mike Petchenik he was driving home from work when Perrick whipped around him on Johnson Ferry Road in East Cobb County.
"These days with people distracted driving, I thought maybe he was texting or speeding or not really paying attention," he said. "It quickly became apparent that he was incapacitated, like had no business on the road."
Cooper said he followed Perrick into Roswell with police on the phone, and witnessed Perrick drive off the road and nearly hit two people out walking their dog.
"Quite honestly, that scared me. That could be anybody," Cooper said. "That could be my family out walking."
Cooper said he knew he had to take matters into his own hands.
"At this point, I didn't see a cop and dispatch wouldn't tell me if one was on the way, so I felt like I needed to do something there," he said.
Cooper said he found an opening, and positioned his truck in front of Perrick's car, preventing him from driving any further.
"I got out, asked him if he needed any help, he didn't respond, so I took his keys out of his ignition," he said. "I figured I've got an old truck, if he hit it, it wouldn't be the worst thing. I was just trying to make sure he didn't hit somebody else."
Police said they applaud Cooper for his actions, but don't recommend everyone do the same thing.
"We don't always encourage citizens to get involved to that degree of pinning someone in, but if it's a life or death situation, almost hitting cars head on or almost hitting pedestrians, that was a great job (that) person did that," said Officer Zachary Frommer.
Perrick is facing felony charges as a habitual DUI offender. Petchenik found records showing Perrick has been arrested at least seven times on DUI charges dating back to 2009.
Barry Martin, executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Georgia, told Petchenik it's not uncommon for habitual DUI drivers to get back behind the wheel.
"Expecting a license suspension to stop somebody from driving is a little bit naïve, really," he said. "It's like expecting Otis to show up at the Mayberry jail when he's drunk. It just doesn't happen in real life."
Martin said MADD is pushing for interlock ignition technology, which tests a person's blood-alcohol level before allowing the vehicle to be turned on, as mandatory for any DUI offender.
"Based on his conviction record, he should be on an ignition interlock now, except for the fact that if he hasn't served his full suspension yet, the interlock doesn't kick in until he gets his license back," said Martin.
Cooper said he hopes Perrick gets the help he needs and faces stiffer penalties this time around.
"I don't think you should have to hit somebody and kill somebody before they take a little more serious action," he said. "Hopefully this helps to that end."
