GSP Investigating Fatal Crash Following Stunt Driving Response

(ATLANTA, GA.) The Georgia State Patrol extends its condolences to the family and friends of 19-year-old Anthony Angeles, who died following a crash involving a GSP patrol vehicle early Monday morning. The loss of a young life is tragic, and we recognize the impact this has on his family, friends and everyone involved.

Troopers were in the area of Kilman Drive and Bibb Boulevard responding to reports of illegal stunt driving involving multiple vehicles that had been moving between locations throughout the night. When troopers arrived, several vehicles fled. A pursuit began after the driver of a white Chrysler 300 drove over a curb in an attempt to evade troopers.

As that pursuit was underway, a GSP Crime Suppression Unit K9 Trooper traveling through the intersection of Mountain Industrial Boulevard and Hugh Howell Road collided with a GMC pickup truck that troopers had observed minutes before participating in the stunt driving activity. Both vehicles caught fire. The trooper and his K9 escaped through a window, and the trooper immediately went to help the people inside the pickup.

Anthony Angeles, who was a passenger in the pickup, was taken to the hospital where he later died. The driver, 20-year-old Emilio DeJesus of Conyers, was also taken to the hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

We know there will be questions about how this happened, and we share the responsibility of making sure those questions are answered. The Georgia State Patrol’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is investigating the crash and the circumstances leading up to it. At the same time, the Office of Professional Standards is conducting an administrative review of the agency’s response, including the actions of the troopers involved and whether applicable policies and procedures were followed. In accordance with standard agency policy, the trooper involved in the crash has been placed on administrative leave while those reviews are underway.

Illegal stunt driving and the deliberate blocking of public roads can put everyone in danger, including participants, other drivers, law enforcement officers and people who simply happen to be nearby. In this case, a young man lost his life.

We owe it to his family, our troopers and the public to understand exactly what happened. We will allow these investigations to establish the facts and will share additional information as we are able. The Georgia State Patrol is committed to the transparency and accountability the people of Georgia expect and deserve.