Police said the engine was parked for a medical response at an Acworth Bojangles.
ACWORTH, Ga. — A 26-year-old man was arrested Saturday morning after police said he threatened firefighters and backed his car into a Cobb County fire engine during a medical call at a Bojangles restaurant.
Acworth police identified the man as Tyler Washington. Authorities said Cobb County Fire Engine 11 had parked near the restaurant entrance while crews handled a medical emergency. The engine blocked several vehicles in the lot, including Washington’s car, police said.
Sgt. Eric Mistretta said Washington became angry and demanded that firefighters move the truck. The crew told him they had to finish the emergency response first. Police said Washington then yelled at firefighters and threatened to shoot and assault them before walking back to his vehicle.
Witness Lamar Simpson said Washington was upset about being blocked in and was “raising hell” before the crash. Simpson told reporters that Washington grabbed his food, got into the driver’s seat and backed into the fire engine. Police said both Washington’s car and the fire apparatus were damaged.
Authorities said the engine was not moved far by the impact. No serious damage to the fire apparatus was reported in the initial accounts. Police did not release the name or condition of the person who needed medical help inside the restaurant.
Washington faces four charges, including obstructing firefighters, interference with government property and terroristic threats. Police also said he had an active warrant from another jurisdiction on a terroristic threats charge. The jurisdiction that issued the warrant was not immediately identified.
The case now moves through Cobb County’s criminal process. Police said investigators documented the damage, interviewed witnesses and reviewed the confrontation. Any court dates, bond details or formal charging updates were not immediately available.
The arrest left a busy restaurant parking lot as the scene of both a medical response and a criminal investigation. Firefighters completed the emergency call while officers handled the collision and threats complaint.
Author note: Last updated April 30, 2026.