Street racing may have been a factor in a deadly accident in Midtown early Wednesday.
The crash occurred at about 2:30 a.m. and shut down Peachtree Street for about five hours. The location of the crash was Peachtree Street between Beverly Road and the Buford Spring Connector near the Invesco Building.
A white Dodge Challenger driven by Officer Shawn Jones Jr. hit a stone wall. Jones is the son of Assistant Atlanta Police Chief Shawn Jones Sr. He was off-duty at the time of the accident.
Georgia State Patrol was called in to assist the Atlanta Police Department with the investigation.
GSP Sgt. John Cronin said that Jones’ injuries were extensive, but that he was stable. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.
It is unknown if Jones was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Officials at the scene were seen removing SWAT gear and a bullet proof vest from the Challenger.
20-year-old Ramish Attai was a passenger in the Challenger. He was wearing a seatbelt, but he died at the scene of the accident.
Jones Jr. is assigned to the Airport division of the Atlanta police and works mornings. He has been with the department since November 2011.
It is being investigated as to whether street racing may have been a factor in the deadly crash. One witness made statements to police and at least one 911 call had been made prior to the accident.
The driver of a second Challenger that may have been involved in the crash was arrested. Cronin did not divulge the identity of the second driver but said that she had left the scene. She was later located by responding Atlanta police officers. She was allegedly high.
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