The collision happened during a pursuit tied to reports of illegal stunt driving in Tucker, and two separate agency reviews are underway.
TUCKER, GA — A 19-year-old man died after a Georgia State Patrol K9 vehicle collided with a pickup truck early Monday while troopers were responding to reports of illegal stunt driving in DeKalb County, according to the Georgia State Patrol.
Authorities identified the passenger who died as Anthony Angeles. The pickup’s driver, 20-year-old Emilio DeJesus of Conyers, was also taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. The trooper and police K9 escaped their patrol vehicle after the crash. The Georgia State Patrol has launched a crash investigation, while its Office of Professional Standards is separately reviewing the law enforcement response and the actions of the troopers involved.
Troopers had been dispatched to the area of Kilman Drive and Bibb Boulevard after receiving reports of illegal stunt driving involving multiple vehicles that had been moving between locations through the night, the agency said. Several vehicles fled when troopers arrived. According to the State Patrol, a pursuit began after the driver of a white Chrysler 300 drove over a curb while attempting to evade troopers.
As that pursuit continued, a trooper assigned to a Georgia State Patrol Crime Suppression Unit and traveling with a K9 entered the intersection of Mountain Industrial Boulevard and Hugh Howell Road. The patrol vehicle collided with a GMC pickup truck that troopers said they had seen taking part in the stunt-driving activity minutes earlier. The agency has not released additional details explaining the movements of either vehicle immediately before impact.
Both the patrol vehicle and the pickup caught fire after the collision. The trooper and K9 escaped through a window, according to the State Patrol. The trooper then went to assist the people in the pickup. Angeles, who was riding as a passenger, was taken to a hospital, where he later died. DeJesus was also hospitalized.
The Georgia State Patrol’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is investigating the collision and the events leading to it. That investigation is expected to examine the vehicles’ movements and other evidence surrounding the crash. The agency has not announced a final determination about how the collision occurred.
At the same time, the State Patrol’s Office of Professional Standards is conducting an administrative review of the agency’s response to the stunt-driving reports. Officials said that review includes the actions of the troopers involved and whether applicable policies and procedures were followed. The trooper whose vehicle was involved in the crash has been placed on administrative leave while the reviews continue.
The State Patrol said illegal stunt driving and deliberate efforts to block public roads can endanger participants, other motorists, police officers and people who happen to be nearby. The agency said it intends to determine the facts surrounding the crash and release additional information as the investigations allow.
Authorities had not released the name of the trooper involved as of Tuesday. The collision investigation and administrative review remained ongoing, and the Georgia State Patrol had not announced final findings about the cause of the crash or whether agency policies were followed.
Author note: Last updated Sept. 8, 2026.