Sgt. Stephen Nichols, who had already been reprimanded by the Atlanta Police Department for the Sept. 9 accident, will be arraigned on Jan. 18 in Cobb County on charges he drove too fast for conditions, failed to maintain lane, improperly made a U-turn and for improper use of sirens.

The charges incensed some in Atlanta law enforcement, who think Nichols is taking the fall for a mayor who is often running late and retiring Police Chief George Turner’s decision to back Reed at the expense of officers.