On Monday afternoon at approximately 2:00 PM, two suspects were arrested following a collision with a DeKalb County police patrol car outside The Home Depot at 2295 Lawrenceville Highway near North Druid Hills Road. The incident began when officers responded to reports of theft at the retail location. As the responding officer arrived and pulled into the parking lot, the suspects' vehicle deliberately struck the patrol car in what appears to be an attempt to flee the scene. Following the collision, both occupants abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot, prompting an immediate manhunt by DeKalb County Police. The driver was quickly apprehended near the crash site, while the passenger was captured after a brief pursuit along Flamingo Drive. The police officer involved in the collision sustained injuries but is expected to make a full recovery. Both suspects were transported to DeKalb County Jail, with formal charges pending release by the police department. The incident disrupted normal traffic patterns in the busy commercial corridor during the afternoon hours.

Location and Infrastructure

The collision occurred at The Home Depot located at 2295 Lawrenceville Highway, a major commercial thoroughfare in DeKalb County that serves as a primary east-west corridor connecting multiple municipalities. This section of Lawrenceville Highway near North Druid Hills Road experiences heavy traffic volumes throughout the day, particularly during peak shopping hours at the numerous retail establishments in the area. The Home Depot parking lot where the incident took place is situated in a densely developed commercial zone with multiple entry and exit points that connect directly to Lawrenceville Highway. The proximity to North Druid Hills Road creates additional traffic complexity, as this intersection serves residential neighborhoods to the north and commercial districts to the south. The area is well-served by traffic control devices including traffic signals and posted speed limits, though the large retail parking lots can present visibility challenges for both pedestrians and vehicles navigating the commercial space.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Georgia law, this incident involves multiple potential legal areas including vehicle collision statutes, theft prosecution, and assault on a police officer charges. Georgia Code § 40-6-270 addresses fleeing or attempting to elude police officers, which can result in felony charges when property damage or injury occurs. The deliberate collision with a police vehicle may constitute aggravated assault under Georgia Code § 16-5-21, particularly given the officer's injuries. Property damage to the patrol vehicle falls under Georgia's motor vehicle accident statutes, while the original theft charges will be prosecuted separately. The injured officer has rights to workers' compensation benefits and may pursue civil remedies for damages. Insurance considerations include liability coverage requirements under Georgia's minimum insurance laws and potential complications arising from the criminal nature of the collision. Georgia's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of injury, while property damage claims must be filed within four years. Compensation may include medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, though criminal conduct can complicate civil recovery efforts.

Related Resources

Local Emergency Services:

• DeKalb County Police Department: (770) 724-7710
• DeKalb County Fire Rescue: (404) 371-2000
• Grady Hospital System: (404) 616-1000

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Georgia Department of Transportation Safety Division: (404) 635-8000
• DeKalb County Traffic Engineering: (404) 371-2000
• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: (404) 656-6996

Support Services:

• Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program: (404) 657-2222
• DeKalb County Victim Services: (404) 371-2444
• Georgia Legal Aid Society: (833) 352-4342

Legal and Regulatory Information:

• Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.): Georgia General Assembly
• Georgia Department of Public Safety: dps.georgia.gov
• DeKalb County Government: dekalbcountyga.gov