News Summary
An Atlanta police officer is hospitalized after a crash on I-20 West. In a separate incident, a 19-year-old suspect opened fire during a police chase on I-285. The officer involved in the crash is alert and conscious, while the suspect faces multiple charges following the chase. Authorities are reviewing police chase protocols after these incidents, highlighting concerns about officer safety and public safety in the area.
Atlanta – An Atlanta police officer is currently hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries following a crash that occurred on I-20 West near downtown Atlanta on Saturday night. Fortunately, the officer is reported to be alert, conscious, and breathing. The crash involved another vehicle, whose driver and passengers also sustained non-life-threatening injuries. As a result of the incident, all lanes on I-20 West past Capitol Avenue were temporarily closed, impacting traffic flow in the area. The situation remains ongoing, with updates expected from local sources.
In a separate incident, a police chase on Interstate 285 in DeKalb County escalated after a suspect, identified as 19-year-old Ahmad Sulaiman, opened fire at a police officer. The chase began when Sulaiman pointed a firearm at officers and fled the scene in a stolen vehicle. During the pursuit, he collided with multiple vehicles, including an Avondale Estates police car. In a tense moment, Sulaiman discharged his weapon at an Avondale police officer, who returned fire; fortunately, neither were injured during the encounter.
To bring the high-speed chase to an end, a DeKalb police officer successfully executed a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver to stop Sulaiman’s vehicle on I-285. Following the conclusion of the chase, Sulaiman was arrested and transported to a hospital with minor injuries. The officer who performed the PIT maneuver was also taken to the hospital but has since been released. During the police response, I-285 was closed at I-675 for a portion of Tuesday afternoon.
Sulaiman is now in custody at the DeKalb County Jail, facing serious charges including two counts of aggravated assault and one count of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is looking into the shooting incident that involved the Avondale Estates police officer.
Additionally, an Atlanta officer was struck by a suspected drunk driver while responding to the initial crash on I-20 early Sunday morning. The suspect, identified as Racine Joseph, is reported to have been under the influence of alcohol and faces multiple charges, including DUI. Following the incident, Joseph was taken to Grady Hospital for clearance before being booked at the Atlanta City Detention Center.
In a previous, unrelated event, a man named Kenneth Edward Rashaad Bailey died from a leg injury while attempting to flee from officers in Atlanta. Despite sustaining a leg injury, it was confirmed that no weapons were fired during that incident, which adds further complexity to the ongoing concerns surrounding police pursuits in the area.
The events of the past few days have prompted discussions about police chase protocols and officer safety in Atlanta. Authorities continue to monitor the situations related to these incidents closely, and further details will likely emerge as investigations progress.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Nurse Adriana Smith Laid to Rest Amid Calls for Change
Midtown Art Walk Celebrates Local Black Artists in Atlanta
Tragic Shooting Outside Capital Jewish Museum
Texas Mother Charged for Allegedly Supporting Son’s Violent Plans
Atlanta City Council Urges Reform of Police Pursuit Policies
Atlanta City Leaders Propose Changes to Police Pursuit Policies
New Evidence Released in Atlanta Double Homicide Case
Atlanta City Council to Vote on Changes to Police Pursuit Policies
New High-Speed Driving Training for Georgia Law Enforcement
Atlanta Leaders Push for Police Pursuit Policy Reform
Additional Resources
- 11Alive
- Google Search: Atlanta police officer injured car accident
- WALB
- Wikipedia: Police chase
- ABC7
- Google News: police pursuit Atlanta
- Miami Herald
- Encyclopedia Britannica: police chase protocols
Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
