In what Athens-Clarke police called an illegal street race on Atlanta Highway turned into a police pursuit that was joined by officers in at least three other counties.
The late-night westbound pursuit began about 2:30 a.m. Sept. 20 on Atlanta Highway just west of Georgia Square, according to the report that was not released until this week.
The officer, who was monitoring traffic, reported seeing a 2023 Acura TLX and a 2024 Hyundai Venue engaged in an illegal street race.
The officer reported he pursued the vehicles, which proceeded to Dozer Drive, then onto Orkin Drive, where they accessed U.S. Highway 78 and into Oconee County. The officer reported his speed reached 110 mph, and the vehicles were still gaining distance.
The officer was told by a supervisor to end his pursuit, which he did. However, sheriff’s offices in Oconee, Walton, and Barrow counties were all notified to be on the lookout for the vehicles.
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A FLOCK camera picked up the tag number on the Hyundai, which showed it was registered to an Athens resident. That driver has not been positively identified, police reported Thursday.
Barrow County sheriff’s deputies spotted the Acura, which fled from the officers, but they managed to get it stopped inside Gwinnett County.
The 20-year-old driver from Alpharetta was charged with numerous violations in Barrow County, while Athens-Clarke police noted they would have warrants charging the man with 10 violations, including racing and felony fleeing.
“Street racing is extremely dangerous and puts everyone on the road at risk — even those not involved,” police Lt. Katie Jenkins said. “This reckless behavior can change lives in the blink of an eye. Our officers are focused on keeping our roads safe, and we take this issue very seriously.”
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: One arrested, one escaped in vehicle race on Atlanta Highway in Athens
