Investigators said a speeding driver fleeing state troopers lost control near an Interstate 20 exit ramp.
ATLANTA, Ga. — A woman standing beside a parked vehicle was killed Monday afternoon after a driver fleeing Georgia State Patrol troopers lost control during a high-speed chase and crashed into a gas station parking lot near Interstate 20 in Fulton County.
Authorities said the crash began when a state trooper attempted to stop a Hyundai Elantra traveling about 90 mph in a 55 mph zone on I-20 West. Investigators said the driver accelerated away instead of pulling over, triggering a pursuit that ended minutes later with a deadly collision. The crash left one woman dead and three others hospitalized, including the driver accused of fleeing police.
According to investigators, the incident unfolded around 2:40 p.m. when a Georgia state trooper spotted the speeding Hyundai moving westbound through Fulton County traffic. Troopers said the driver, later identified as 26-year-old Fre’shun Tyai White of Marietta, initially appeared to slow before suddenly accelerating across multiple lanes of interstate traffic. Authorities said White exited onto the Boulevard ramp, then abruptly merged back onto the interstate, nearly causing another crash. The first trooper ended direct pursuit because conditions on the roadway were becoming unsafe. A second trooper nearby then observed the Hyundai weaving through traffic and attempted to catch up as the vehicle approached another exit ramp near Hill Street.
Investigators said White exited the interstate at a high speed and lost control before reaching the bottom of the ramp. The Hyundai crossed Hill Street and entered a nearby gas station parking lot, striking a parked vehicle with significant force. Police said 51-year-old Chatanna Ohiyesha Patterson was standing beside the parked car when she was hit. Emergency crews pronounced Patterson dead from injuries suffered in the crash. Troopers said the parked vehicle’s driver, White, and a passenger riding inside the Hyundai all suffered serious injuries and were transported to area hospitals. Authorities have not released updated conditions for the injured victims. Officials also have not said whether alcohol, drugs, or distracted driving contributed to the crash.
The deadly collision added to growing concern around police pursuits and reckless driving incidents across metro Atlanta. Several fatal crashes tied to pursuits have occurred in the region over the past year, including incidents in DeKalb County and southeast Atlanta involving stolen vehicles and fleeing drivers. Georgia State Patrol officials said Monday’s crash reflected the dangers officers and bystanders face when suspects attempt to outrun law enforcement on crowded highways. Interstate 20 through Atlanta is among the busiest traffic corridors in the state, particularly during afternoon commute hours when congestion and rapid lane changes increase crash risks. Witnesses at the scene described seeing debris scattered across the parking lot while emergency crews worked to clear the area and treat victims.
White was charged with first-degree vehicular homicide, serious injury by vehicle, and additional traffic-related offenses connected to the pursuit and crash. Court records tied to the case had not yet listed a first appearance hearing by late Monday evening. Investigators are expected to continue reviewing dash camera footage, witness statements, and roadway evidence collected near the Hill Street exit ramp. Georgia State Patrol said reconstruction specialists were examining the vehicle’s speed and movements before impact. Officials also are reviewing radio traffic and pursuit procedures to determine how the incident unfolded minute by minute. Authorities did not announce whether additional charges could follow after hospital evaluations and toxicology testing are completed.
In a statement released after the crash, the Georgia State Patrol said the incident left “lasting pain for families, friends, witnesses, and the broader community.” Troopers expressed condolences to Patterson’s relatives and acknowledged the emotional toll on first responders and witnesses who arrived moments after the collision. Drivers passing the crash site Monday afternoon encountered backed-up traffic and emergency vehicles surrounding the gas station entrance. Some nearby residents gathered outside businesses along the corridor as investigators documented evidence and removed damaged vehicles from the lot. The crash scene remained active for several hours while crews cleaned debris and reopened traffic lanes.
Authorities said the investigation remains active as troopers continue interviewing witnesses and monitoring the medical conditions of the injured victims. Additional updates on charges and court proceedings are expected in the coming days.
Author note: Last updated May 26, 2026.