Henry County pursuit ends with wrong-way crash in express lanes

A police chase in Henry County ended in terrifying fashion Friday afternoon when the suspect drove onto the express lanes going the wrong direction and then crashed, authorities said.

The pursuit took place on I-75 North near Jonesboro Road around 2:15 p.m., Henry police spokesman Capt. Randy Lee said in a news release. During the chase, the suspect drove through the gate arms blocking the South Metro Express Lanes, continuing onto the one-way toll road in the wrong direction.

#BREAKING End of police chase in Henry County has the @PeachPassGA Express Lanes closed at Jonesboro Rd (Exit 221). Intense delays already in both directions on I-75 due to #MemorialDayWeekend travel. Use Hwy 42/23 or Hwy 19/41 as alternates. @wsbtv @wsbradio #ATLtraffic pic.twitter.com/hx8qwhCouH
— Mike Shields WSB (@MikeShieldsWSB) May 28, 2021

Henry police decide to halt the pursuit rather than follow the suspect going the wrong way, and the suspect crashed shortly after, Lee said.

The Georgia State Patrol is helping to investigate the scene of the crash, which is blocking all express lanes traffic. Traffic volume is already extremely heavy on I-75 in both directions thanks to Memorial Day weekend travel, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.

Henry police did not provide details about the circumstances that led to the chase or the identity of the suspect.

We’re working to learn more.

— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.

About the Author

Henri Hollis

Henri Hollis is a reporter for the breaking news team. Formerly a freelance writer and photographer working with the food and dining section, he began covering breaking news full-time in January 2021. He is a lifelong Atlantan and a graduate of Georgia Tech.

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