Gwinnett County: Biker sentenced to 17 years for chase that led to state trooper’s death

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – A man who led a Georgia State Trooper on a high-speed chase that ultimately ended in the lawman’s death will serve 17 years in prison.  

Gerson Danilo Ayala-Rodriguez, 21, on Wednesday, Aug. 14, pled guilty to first-degree vehicular homicide in connection with the death of Trooper Jimmy Cenescar. In addition to the felony charge, Ayala-Rodriguez also was convicted on misdemeanor charges of reckless driving, speeding, two counts each of driving without a license, operating a vehicle without insurance, and operating an unregistered vehicle. Ayala-Rodriguez will serve 17 years in prison as part of the negotiated plea. 

“We tragically lost a young State Trooper as a result of the defendant’s reckless driving,” said Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson. “Ultimately, the defendant accepted responsibility for his actions in this, although it cannot bring back Trooper Cenescar. We hope this serves as a message to drivers and motorcyclists to drive within the safe bounds of the law.” 

On Jan. 28, 2024, just after 5:30 p.m, Geogia State Trooper Jimmy Cenescar was killed after his patrol car went off the road on I-85 south of State Route 317 and down a steep embankment, striking trees and shrubbery, a street sign and a retaining wall. Shortly before that, Cenescar had encountered Ayala-Rodriguez traveling north on a Honda CBR 1000 motorcycle at a high rate of speed. 

Cenescar activated his police lights and gave pursuit. Ayala-Rodriguez, however, ignored the lights and sped on, weaving in and out of traffic as he fled the trooper. At some point, as the biker reached speeds of 140 mph and split lanes to pass a pair of vehicles, Cenescar had to take evasive action to avoid hitting civilian vehicles and lost control of his patrol car. The patrol car yawned to the right and went over the east shoulder where it struck the guardrail and careened down the embankment. 

Trooper Cenescar was funeralized in February. 

Chief Assistant District Attorney John Melvin, who handled the case, stated, “I would like to thank the State Patrol and the Gwinnett County Police Department for the outstanding investigation and collaboration. Together, these agencies ensured justice for the Cenescar family.”