(Lawrenceville, Ga., Mar. 27, 2024) – A Stone Mountain man is under arrest for striking two patrol cars while fleeing from an unlawful street racing event.

On March 23, at approximately 10:00 p.m., an officer assigned to the Central Precinct responded to the area of Cruse Road and Oakland Road in reference to an unlawful street racing event in the intersection. While officers were arriving, they heard the sound of gunshots and people fleeing the area wearing face masks.

Officers were informed of people at a gas station at 2074 Old Norcross Road related to the street racing incident who had rifles and handguns.  As officers were arriving, the driver of a black Dodge Charger struck one of the patrol cars with an officer inside. The driver accelerated, fleeing the scene with three other occupants inside. Officers found no evidence of a shooting at this location.

The driver of the Charger fled the area and eventually lost control in front of a local church at 1525 Scenic Highway in Snellville after striking a K9 officer’s patrol car. After a brief foot pursuit, two of the male occupants were taken into custody. Two female occupants remained on scene.

Officers learned that the black Charger had been previously reported stolen from DeKalb County. Two firearms were located inside the vehicle, one of which was a rifle.

After questioning the females (ages 16 and 20), it was determined that they entered the vehicle when the other spectators began to flee. After a brief amount of time, the females demanded to be released from the vehicle, but the driver, John Pritchett, refused. Apart from the two females, none of the others knew one another before initially entering the vehicle.

John Anthony Pritchett (driver)(age 19, Stone Mountain) has been charged with Aggravated Assault against a Law Enforcement Officer, Obstruction, Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude, Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of Certain Felonies, two counts of Kidnapping, two counts of False Imprisonment, and Possession of Tool during the Commission of Certain Crimes. He was also charged with the following traffic violations: Reckless Driving, Unsafe Lane Change, Speeding, Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device, Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road, Valid License Required, and Headlights Required. He was booked into the Gwinnett County Jail shortly after 1:00 a.m.

Dryan Dradarius Vereen (passenger)(age 18, Decatur) was charged with Obstruction. He was booked into the Gwinnett County Jail on March 24, just after midnight.

No officers were injured in this incident.