N. Fulton police refute Atlanta radio host’s claims after traffic stop

Steve Rickman, also known as "Southside Steve" on Atlanta's Rock 100.5, was pulled over in Johns Creek this weekend for running a red light. The radio host and JCPD engaged in a back and forth on Facebook.

Johns Creek Police say it was a red light. “Southside Steve” says it was a yellow light.

Steve Rickman – a radio host for Atlanta’s “Rock 100.5” – was pulled over by police in Johns Creek on Saturday after police say he ran a red light. While the officer was in his patrol vehicle – likely running Rickman’s driving record and not listening to 100.5 – the radio host whipped out his phone and began streaming the stop via Facebook Live.

The two-minute and 36 second video had more than 7,900 views on Monday.

“Well, not a good day…” Rickman says, turning his phone to show the lights on a Johns Creek patrol vehicle. “Crazy situation. Gentleman says I ran a yellow light. He says it was red and it wasn’t, it was two arrows… I look up and its yellow… He got me for running a yellow light.”

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But the Johns Creek Police Department knows how to use Facebook too. They posted a photo from a dash cam that shows the SUV that Rickman was driving in the intersection when cars from a different lane had the right of way and the green light.

“South-side Steve running a red light in The Creek,” the post read.

Rickman said he was charged with a 40-6-20, which is a violation of obedience to traffic control devices.

Rickman claimed in the video that he has a “perfect driving record” and was coming home from a promotion.

“I swear it was yellow. It had just turned yellow, so it’s actually kind of ridiculous,” he said.

In a poll posted to the radio show's website, 62 percent of voters thought Rickman overreacted to the traffic stop.

The video ends with the officer approaching Rickman’s vehicle and asking him to sign the ticket.

“(Am I) signing for running a yellow light? Is that what it says?” Rickman asks.

The officer shook his head. “Nope.”

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