Crime & Safety

Update: 4 Injured after Police Chase Ends in Crash on Thornton Road

Names of the injured have been released after a police chase ended in a serious wreck at the intersection of Thornton and Maxham Roads, in Douglas County, last night. 

Original story:

Four people were injured and sent to the hospital after a police chase ended in a serious wreck at the intersection of Thornton and Maxham Roads last night.

Sheriff Phil Miller said according to a report he has seen the victims are expected to survive.

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Miller said his deputies only assisted with traffic control and that Austell Police were chasing the Chevy Aveo when the car broadsided a Chevy Avalanche. The Avalanche ended up on its roof.

The man being chased had two small children in the car, according to myfoxatlanta.

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The driver of the fleeing car was Jeremiah Mathis, 30, of Atlanta, the Georgia State Patrol told myfoxatlanta. Mathis was taken to Grady Hospital and will face charges.
    
One of the children in the crash was rushed to Scottish Rite with serious injuries, according to the myfoxatlanta report and the other was sent to Grady. The driver of the Avalanche was treated and released.

Update: 11:45 a.m.

The driver of the Avalanche was treated and released from the hospital last night and was back at the crash scene before it was cleared, according to Gordy Wright, Georgia State Patrol spokesman.

Mathis' front seat passenger Latasha Williams, and Treveion Thompson, 5, were taken to Grady for treatment.  

A fourth person in the Aveo, Tavvorious Thompson, 11, was taken to Scottish Rite with serious injuries.

GSP will carry charges on Mathis once the investigation is complete, according to Wright. Austell Police will also have charges.

The Georgia State Patrol only worked the crash and was not involved in the pursuit.

Update 12:30 p.m.

Austell Police Chief Bob Starrett said the reason for the initial stop was speeding, or high rate of speed.


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