DeKalb County police are searching for a driver who abandoned a vehicle and fled on foot early Friday morning after a police pursuit ended in a crash in Stone Mountain, Georgia. According to authorities, the incident began when the Stone Mountain Police Department attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle that fled the scene. Officers later located the same vehicle around 3:44 a.m., and a DeKalb County officer attempted a second traffic stop. When the driver again refused to pull over, a pursuit ensued through the area. The chase came to an end when the suspect vehicle crashed into an unoccupied, parked car on Old Highgate Entry in Stone Mountain. Following the collision, both the driver and a passenger exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Responding officers were able to apprehend the passenger at the scene, but the driver escaped and remains at large. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the crash. The identities of both the driver and passenger have not yet been released, and the investigation remains active as authorities continue searching for the driver.

Location and Infrastructure

Old Highgate Entry is a residential street located within the Stone Mountain area of DeKalb County, Georgia, a community situated northeast of Atlanta near the base of Stone Mountain Park. Like many residential roadways in this part of DeKalb County, Old Highgate Entry primarily serves local traffic and features on-street parking, which placed the unoccupied vehicle struck during this incident within the roadway's typical use pattern. Residential streets of this type generally lack the traffic control infrastructure found on major thoroughfares, such as traffic signals or dedicated turn lanes, making high-speed pursuits particularly hazardous to parked vehicles, pedestrians, and nearby homes. The broader Stone Mountain area is patrolled jointly by the Stone Mountain Police Department and DeKalb County Police Department, both of which responded in connection with this incident.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Georgia law, individuals whose property is damaged due to another driver's negligent or unlawful conduct, including fleeing a lawful traffic stop, may be entitled to pursue compensation for repair or replacement costs. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence standard, meaning fault may be apportioned among involved parties, and recovery may be affected accordingly. Because the driver in this case has not been identified, the property owner may need to explore options through their own insurance coverage, such as uninsured motorist or comprehensive coverage, while the investigation continues. Georgia generally imposes a four-year statute of limitations for property damage claims and a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motor vehicle incidents. Potentially available compensation may include property repair costs, diminished vehicle value, and related expenses. Affected parties are encouraged to document damages and consult with their insurance provider promptly. This information is provided for general awareness and does not constitute legal advice.

Related Resources

Local Emergency Services

• DeKalb County Police Department: (770) 724-7850
• Stone Mountain Police Department: (404) 296-7300
• DeKalb County 911 Emergency Communications

Local Traffic Safety Resources

• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: https://www.gahighwaysafety.org
• Georgia Department of Public Safety: https://dps.georgia.gov

Support Services for Accident Victims

• Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program: https://cjcc.georgia.gov/victim-compensation
• DeKalb County Victim-Witness Assistance Program

State Traffic Laws and Regulations

• Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Title 40 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic): https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-40/

Submit a Tip

• DeKalb County Police Department App
• Text "DKPD" plus your tip to 847411