A Georgia Department of Community Supervision officer was arrested on charges of driving under the influence after causing a multi-vehicle crash that seriously injured several people on Interstate 20 East near Fairburn Road in Douglas County just before midnight on July 4, 2025. Alexis Friendly, a two-year veteran of the department, was driving a government Ford Explorer when she rear-ended a Toyota Corolla, setting off a chain reaction that involved four vehicles total. The initial impact caused both the Explorer and Corolla to spin out of control, with the Explorer subsequently striking a Mitsubishi Outlander in the center lane and a Lexus that was parked on the left shoulder. The driver of the Toyota Corolla suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Kennestone Hospital for treatment. Georgia State Patrol shut down all eastbound lanes of I-20 for several hours to investigate the incident and clear the scene. The crash created a six-hour traffic standstill that left hundreds of motorists stranded on the highway during the Independence Day holiday. Following her arrest at the scene, Friendly was taken to a hospital with minor injuries for jail clearance, and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision immediately suspended her from duties pending investigation.

Location and Infrastructure

Interstate 20 in Douglas County has been identified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as the second-most dangerous highway in the United States, with 15.5 fatalities per 100 miles annually. The crash occurred near the Fairburn Road interchange, a heavily traveled corridor that connects Douglas County to the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. This section of I-20 has experienced numerous serious accidents in recent years, including fatal crashes and multi-vehicle incidents that have repeatedly required extended lane closures and emergency response. The Fairburn Road area serves as a critical junction for commuters traveling between Atlanta and the western suburbs, handling significant traffic volumes throughout the day and night. According to AAA Georgia, many of the fatal accidents that occur on I-20 in the state are attributed to distracted driving and other poor driving habits. The interstate features typical highway infrastructure including emergency shoulders, guardrails, and standard traffic control devices, though the high-speed nature of the roadway can contribute to severe crash outcomes when incidents occur.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Georgia law, driving under the influence is a serious criminal offense that carries mandatory minimum penalties including jail time, fines, license suspension, and probation. For a first DUI offense in Georgia, convicted individuals face a minimum of 24 hours in jail if their blood alcohol content is 0.08% or higher, fines ranging from $300 to $1,000, community service requirements, and license suspension for up to one year. When a DUI results in serious injury to another person, the offense can be elevated to "injury by vehicle," a felony charge carrying one to 15 years in prison and fines up to $100,000. Victims of DUI-related crashes have the right to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage through both insurance claims and civil litigation. Georgia operates under a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motor vehicle accidents. Insurance considerations are particularly complex in cases involving government vehicles and employees acting within their official capacity. Accident victims should seek immediate medical attention and document all injuries and damages, as these cases often involve multiple liable parties and insurance coverage sources. The use of a government vehicle may trigger additional liability considerations under state sovereign immunity laws and federal civil rights statutes.

Related Resources

Local Emergency Services:

• Douglas County Emergency Medical Services: (770) 920-7896
• Georgia State Patrol Post 5 (Villa Rica): (770) 459-3941
• Douglas County Sheriff's Office: (770) 942-2121
• WellStar Douglas Hospital: (770) 949-1500

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Georgia Department of Transportation 511GA Traffic Information: 511ga.org
• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: gahighwaysafety.org
• Douglas County Emergency Management: douglascountyga.gov/emergency-management

Support Services for Accident Victims:

• Georgia Victim Assistance Network: (404) 299-4185
• MADD Georgia (Mothers Against Drunk Driving): (770) 457-6233
• Brain Injury Association of Georgia: (404) 712-5504
• Georgia Legal Aid Society: (833) 435-4342

Legal and Regulatory Information:

• Georgia DUI Laws (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391): law.justia.com/codes/georgia
• Georgia Department of Driver Services: dds.georgia.gov
• State Bar of Georgia Lawyer Referral Service: (404) 527-8700
• Georgia Administrative License Suspension Information: dds.georgia.gov