Driver Arrested After Fleeing Single-Vehicle Crash That Left Passenger Critically Injured in Duluth, Georgia

A 20-year-old man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly fleeing the scene of a violent single-vehicle crash that left his passenger with life-threatening injuries in Duluth, Georgia. According to the Duluth Police Department, officers responded to the intersection of Buford Highway and Duluth Highway at approximately 5:27 a.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2025, where they discovered a silver sedan crushed between a traffic-signal pole and a utility pole.

Emergency responders found an unrestrained front-seat passenger who had been ejected from the vehicle. The passenger was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition. Surveillance footage from the area revealed the driver climbing out of the wrecked vehicle and fleeing the scene on foot without calling 911 or rendering any assistance to the injured passenger.

Following an investigation that included review of physical evidence, seatbelt analysis, witness statements, and video footage, Duluth Police detectives identified the driver as Samuel Contreras-Garcia. He was arrested on November 18 and booked into the Gwinnett County Jail on multiple charges, including felony hit-and-run and serious injury by vehicle.

Location and Infrastructure

The crash occurred at the intersection of Buford Highway (U.S. Route 23) and Duluth Highway (State Route 120) in the City of Duluth, located in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Duluth Highway has become a popular alternate route for drivers attempting to avoid traffic on Highway 316 and Interstate 85. During peak travel hours, distracted drivers in a hurry to get home often take unsafe risks when turning or crossing Duluth Highway.

This major intersection serves as a critical junction connecting multiple commercial and residential areas in the northeastern Atlanta metropolitan region. The intersection is controlled by traffic signals and features utility infrastructure along the roadway. The pre-dawn timing of this crash, occurring at 5:27 a.m., suggests lower traffic volumes but potentially reduced visibility conditions. The presence of both traffic signal poles and utility poles at this location indicates the complex infrastructure typical of high-volume intersections in Gwinnett County.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Georgia Code § 40-6-270, if an accident is the proximate cause of death or a serious injury, any person knowingly failing to stop and comply with the requirements shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years. If convicted, the driver will also face at least a four-month driver's license suspension.

For the injured passenger, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Georgia is typically two years from the date of the injury. Victims of serious vehicle crashes may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care costs. Georgia requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, and injured parties may pursue claims through the at-fault driver's insurance or their own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if applicable.

Given the severity of injuries described as life-threatening, the injured party or their family should consult with a qualified personal injury attorney to understand their legal options and ensure compliance with all applicable filing deadlines.

Related Resources

Local Emergency Services:

• Duluth Police Department: (770) 476-4151
• Gwinnett County 911 Emergency Services
• Gwinnett Medical Center

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Georgia Department of Transportation: www.dot.ga.gov
• Gwinnett County Department of Transportation: www.gwinnettcounty.com/transportation

Support Services:

• Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program: www.crimevictimscomp.ga.gov
• Grady Memorial Hospital Trauma Services

State Laws and Regulations:

• Georgia Code Title 40, Chapter 6 (Rules of the Road): law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-40/chapter-6/
• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: www.gahighwaysafety.org