A truck driver faces multiple charges following an altercation with police at a travel center in Cordele, Georgia, on Wednesday.

Truck driver Calvin Ellis Jr., 29, of Mississippi, was arrested at 1:40 a.m. on Wednesday, August 14, after police removed him from his 2023 Freightliner, according to the Cordele Police Department (Professional-professional).

Ellis was charged with:

• Serious bodily harm against a peace officer
• obstruction
• Trespassing
• Intervention in state property
• Damage to property

According to police, the incident that led to the arrest began when Ellis was asked by the store owner to leave the property of the Horizon Travel Center at 2302 Highway 300 in Cordele, but he refused.

The owner of the travel center asked an on-site police officer to speak to Ellis.

According to CPD, Ellis became “extremely angry and irrational” when the officer made contact with him and asked him to leave. The officer reportedly told Ellis he could leave, but he still refused to leave the location. The officer then told Ellis he would be arrested if he did not leave.

From CPD:

“Ellis refused to leave the truck and refused to leave the vehicle even after being informed that he was going to jail. He repeatedly ignored orders to unlock the driver’s door and get out. Instead, he put the truck in gear and drove forward, colliding with a patrol car. He then backed up a considerable distance before driving forward again, this time hitting a patrol car with an officer inside. Ellis used his tractor-trailer to push the patrol car several more feet before finally stopping. This allowed officers to get into the truck and unlock the door.“

Ellis was taken into police custody with the assistance of the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office.

Ellis was taken to Crisp Regional Hospital for a medical evaluation before being booked into the Crisp County Jail.