ATLANTA, Georgia – A judge in Georgia denied bond for a man charged with murder after a state trooper died during a vehicular pursuit. The incident occurred on Jan. 28 when Trooper Jimmy Cenescar’s cruiser left Interstate 85 in the north Atlanta suburb of Suwanee and struck an embankment.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety revealed that Cenescar was attempting to pull over a motorcycle for a traffic violation, but the motorcycle fled, leading to the pursuit. Gerson Ayala Rodriguez was arrested and charged with felony murder, first-degree homicide, felony fleeing and attempting to elude, and reckless driving.
The crash report showed that the motorcycle driven by Rodriguez maneuvered through two lanes to evade the trooper, causing Cenescar to swerve and ultimately crash into trees and rocks. Despite being taken to a nearby hospital, Cenescar succumbed to his injuries.
Governor Brian Kemp expressed his satisfaction with the arrest, calling it a “step toward justice for one of Georgia’s fallen heroes.” Cenescar had previously received recognition for saving a man’s life in 2021 after he drove off an Atlanta bridge, showcasing his dedication as a state trooper.
Cenescar had joined the Department of Public Safety in January 2023 and graduated from trooper school in September of the same year. The denial of bond for Rodriguez reflects the severity of the charges he faces, and the tragic loss of Trooper Cenescar has left the community mourning the loss of a dedicated public servant.