News Details
Fatal accident investigation
(Saturday, July 13, 2013 @ approximately 3:18pm) The Gwinnett County Police Accident Investigation Unit is currently investigating a fatal crash that resulted from a vehicle pursuit initiated by the Duluth Police Department. The crash occurred on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard at Peachtree Crest Drive. This is in an area of unincorporated Duluth within Gwinnett County.
According to accident investigators, 28 year old, Jeremy Kelly of Flowery Branch was fleeing the scene of a traffic stop initiated by an officer with Duluth Police Department within their jurisdiction. The Duluth Officer conducted a traffic stop in the area of Shorty Howell Park on Pleasant Hill Rd. in the City of Duluth for a traffic violation. Mr. Kelly fled from the stop in his black 1995 Nissan Maxima and the Duluth Officer pursued him in his marked patrol car. Mr. Kelly was driving recklessly in his haste to avoid capture and eventually made his way northbound on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in southbound lanes at an extremely high rate of speed.
49 year old, Dawn Smith of Duluth was traveling southbound in the southbound lanes of Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in her white 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. 21 year old, Jose Montes of Norcross was also traveling southbound in his red 1995 Ford Ranger behind Ms. Smith. Mr. Kelly ended up crashing head-on into Ms. Smith’s vehicle. Mr. Montes could not stop or avoid the collision and stuck Ms. Smith’s vehicle.
Mr. Kelly died on scene as a result of the injuries he sustained from the collision. Ms. Smith and Mr. Montes were both transported to Gwinnett Medical Center for treatment of serious non-life threatening injuries.
The Gwinnett County Police Accident Investigation Unit continues to investigate this accident. The entire Duluth Police pursuit and crash was captured on dash cam video. The video is not being release at this time as this investigation continues. Any questions or details regarding the initial traffic stop and/or the policies and procedures of the Duluth Police Department will be directed to them for clarification.