19-year-old dies in crash with Georgia State Patrol during chase

ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A 19-year-old man died after a state trooper crashed into a truck while chasing stunt driving suspects in DeKalb County on Monday morning, according to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP). Shortly before the crash, troopers were in the area of Kilman Drive and Bibb Boulevard in Tucker, responding to reports of illegal stunt driving 'involving multiple vehicles that had been moving between locations throughout the night,' GSP said. Several vehicles sped away when troopers arrived. The driver of one of those vehicles, white Chrysler 300, drove over a curb to get away, prompting a chase. During the pursuit, a trooper driving through the intersection of Mountain Industrial Boulevard and Hugh Howell Road collided with a GMC pickup truck, which troopers saw minutes before 'participating in the stunt driving activity,' according to GSP. Both vehicles caught fire. GSP said the trooper and his K-9 escaped through a window, and the trooper immediately went to help the people inside the pickup. Anthony Angeles, a passenger in the pickup, was taken to the hospital, where he later died. The 20-year-old driver was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Authorities have not announced charges against him. 'We know there will be questions about how this happened, and we share the responsibility of making sure those questions are answered,' GSP said in a statement. The agency is investigating the crash and the circumstances leading up to it, and its Office of Professional Standards is conducting an administrative review of the agency's response, 'including the actions of the troopers involved and whether applicable policies and procedures were followed.' The trooper involved in the crash has been placed on administrative leave while the reviews are underway, in accordance with agency policy. 'Illegal stunt driving and the deliberate blocking of public roads can put everyone in danger, including participants, other drivers, law enforcement officers and people who simply happen to be nearby. In this case, a young man lost his life,' GSP said. 'We owe it to his family, our troopers and the public to understand exactly what happened. We will allow these investigations to establish the facts and will share additional information as we are able. The Georgia State Patrol is committed to the transparency and accountability the people of Georgia expect and deserve.' The agency offered its condolences to Angeles' family and friends. 'The loss of a young life is tragic, and we recognize the impact this has on his family, friends and everyone involved,' GSP said.