DeKALB – A DeKalb police officer accused of hitting a pedestrian while driving drunk has been placed on paid leave, DeKalb police Chief Gene Lowery said Friday.

Darrick L. Wesson, who has received several commendations since joining the DeKalb force in June 1999, was charged Wednesday with leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, driving under the influence of alcohol and improper lane use, according to a DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office news release. If convicted of the most serious charge, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, he would face probation or up to 3 years in prison and would be ineligible to work as a police officer.

“I take these allegations extremely seriously,” Lowery said. “If these allegations are founded, they are going to have extremely serious consequences. However, it’s premature for me to comment until I know all the facts.”