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Georgia state trooper killed in crash on Sunday identified

By and FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
Updated  January 29, 2024 4:48pm EST
Georgia
FOX 5 Atlanta

Georgia State Trooper Jimmy Cenescar remembered

Georgia State Trooper Jimmy Cenescar was identified as the officer who lost control of his patrol vehicle and crashed while trying to make a traffic stop in Gwinnett County. He was killed in the accident.

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Public Safety is mourning the loss of a Georgia State Patrol trooper who died in the line of duty during a crash Sunday afternoon.

He was identified on Monday morning as Trooper Jimmy Cenescar.

"I would urge all Georgians to keep this family and his fiance in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to deal with this horrific loss on behalf of our state," said Gov. Brian Kemp. "On behalf of a grateful state we offer our condolences to his family and his fiance and certainly his colleagues and really all members of law enforcement"

According to a post on social media, Cenescar was attempting to stop a motorcycle for a traffic violation on Interstate 85 north near Old Peachtree Road in Atlanta when his vehicle left the road and struck an embankment.

Emergency personnel responded and attempted life-saving measures before he was rushed to Northside Gwinnett Hospital where he passed away.

Trooper Cenescar had been employed as a trooper since January 2023 and was a graduate of the 114th Trooper School. 

 Jimmy Cenescar

"We ask that you keep the Trooper's family, friends, and colleagues in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," the post read.

Saved life of man while Atlanta Police Department officer

Cenescar was an officer with the Atlanta Police Department before becoming a trooper.

In October 2021, he was credited with saving the life of a man who had driven his car off a bridge in northwest Atlanta and onto a train track about 50 feet below.

GSP trooper killed in line of duty

A Georgia State Patrol trooper was killed in the line of duty over the weekend in a crash. Other troopers escorted his body on Sunday night.

"It was very chaotic. A gentleman is waving me down, in the background I heard several ladies screaming," said Atlanta Police Officer Jimmy Cenescar.

Officer Cenescar knew he had to act fast. The car had flipped over and the driver was trapped inside.  

"I knew I had to take action quickly to get that driver out of the vehicle because I knew there were train tracks," said Officer Cenescar.

Cenescar was a graduate a Georgia Gwinnett College. 

Georgia leaders mourn death of Georgia State trooper killed in crash

"I am praying for the family of this State Trooper and the extended @ga_dps family," said Rep. Matthew Gambill (R-Dist. 15).

"Our prayers are with DPS and the family who lost a loved one today," said James Chris Stallings, the director of Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security.