An early morning accident on Thursday in West Midtown Atlanta was caused by a driver who attempted to flee police after a traffic stop and ran a red light, according to a report from Fox 5. The incident began at around 1 AM, when a police officer attempted to stop a driver in a Toyota RAV4 for a simple traffic violation. However, the driver refused to stop and instead led police on a chase through the area. This chase ended when the fleeing driver ran a red light at the intersection of Northside Drive and 14th Street, colliding with a Mitsubishi Highlander.
Two people inside the Highlander died in the accident, while three more occupants of the vehicle were transferred to Grady Memorial Hospital with injuries. The driver of the RAV4 also suffered serious injuries and was transported to Grady for treatment. At the time of the report, police were still investigating the accident.
According to Georgia law, fleeing or attempting to elude the police is generally considered a misdemeanor unless certain factors are present in the case. One of the factors that can make fleeing from the police a felony is if the driver strikes or collides with a pedestrian or another vehicle. When this occurs, the law states, the crime is charged as a felony punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and incarceration for at least a year. In addition, those who have been injured as a result of a collision caused by the fleeing driver as well as the family members of those who were killed can seek compensation for the expenses and impacts of their injury or loss.
Were you or your loved one injured in an accident caused by a driver who was attempting to flee or elude the police? If so, an experienced car accident attorney from Cambre & Associates can help you understand the process involved in seeking compensation, and provide more information about the services our team can offer to assist you with your claim. Contact us for a free case evaluation.