A tragic incident unfolded on Monday evening, January 6, when a 15-year-old male died after stealing a Sandy Springs Police Department patrol vehicle and leading deputies on a tense encounter near South Forsyth High School in Forsyth County, Georgia.
According to reports, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office received a call shortly before 7 p.m. about a stolen police vehicle from the driveway of an officer’s home in Forsyth County ยน. Deputies were quickly dispatched to locate the vehicle, which was spotted traveling on Peachtree Parkway near Sharon Road at approximately 7:11 p.m.
To prevent further risk to the public, deputies initiated a “box-in” maneuver to stop the car near South Forsyth High School.
During the maneuver, the stolen vehicle collided with the rear of a marked Forsyth County patrol car.
When deputies approached the vehicle, they found the driver unresponsive and bleeding from the head. Despite administering life-saving measures, the 15-year-old was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Authorities later identified the teenager as a family member of the Sandy Springs officer whose vehicle had been stolen.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, with the Sandy Springs Police Department cooperating fully.
Sheriff Ron Freeman expressed his condolences, stating, “This is a heartbreaking and tragic situation for everyone involved. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as we work to understand what led to this tragic outcome.”
