With new funds, DeKalb to go after 'aggressive and dangerous' drivers

CHASE ENDS IN CRASH-- June 14, 2016 DeKalb County: One person was injured and three people were arrested Tuesday, June 14, 2016 after a Rockdale County sheriff's chase and multiple crashes in DeKalb County. At least seven cars were involved in the crashes, which temporarily blocked two of the four westbound lanes on I-20 at Panola Road at the height of the morning commute. "There were 3 hit-and-run accidents when a stolen vehicle pursued by Rockdale sheriff units struck these vehicles and continued," DeKalb police Maj. Stephen Fore said. "One person received minor injuries as a result of one [of] the accidents and was transported to DeKalb Medical." The incident started with the stolen truck. Corey James, who owns a black 2010 Cadillac Escalade, said someone took his truck during his daily trip to a local gas station. "I went inside the Shell gas station to get a pop, and in less than 2 minutes or so came out," James told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "The car was pulling off." He called 911 and told a dispatcher he saw the Escalade jump on I-20. That's when the Rockdale sheriff's pursuit began. Jawanda Murray was taking her husband to work and approaching a ramp at Panola Road when a car involved in the chase rear-ended hers. Officials were attempting a PIT maneuver, a tactic that essentially involves bumping a vehicle in an attempt to stop it. "It was out of control," Murray said. At the end of the chase, two guns were recovered and three people were arrested, a Rockdale sheriff's official said. All lanes have reopened, and I-20 was rapidly improving in DeKalb just before 9 a.m., according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. No other details were released. JOHN SPINK /JSPINK@AJC.COM

Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC

Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC

CHASE ENDS IN CRASH-- June 14, 2016 DeKalb County: One person was injured and three people were arrested Tuesday, June 14, 2016 after a Rockdale County sheriff's chase and multiple crashes in DeKalb County. At least seven cars were involved in the crashes, which temporarily blocked two of the four westbound lanes on I-20 at Panola Road at the height of the morning commute. "There were 3 hit-and-run accidents when a stolen vehicle pursued by Rockdale sheriff units struck these vehicles and continued," DeKalb police Maj. Stephen Fore said. "One person received minor injuries as a result of one [of] the accidents and was transported to DeKalb Medical." The incident started with the stolen truck. Corey James, who owns a black 2010 Cadillac Escalade, said someone took his truck during his daily trip to a local gas station. "I went inside the Shell gas station to get a pop, and in less than 2 minutes or so came out," James told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "The car was pulling off." He called 911 and told a dispatcher he saw the Escalade jump on I-20. That's when the Rockdale sheriff's pursuit began. Jawanda Murray was taking her husband to work and approaching a ramp at Panola Road when a car involved in the chase rear-ended hers. Officials were attempting a PIT maneuver, a tactic that essentially involves bumping a vehicle in an attempt to stop it. "It was out of control," Murray said. At the end of the chase, two guns were recovered and three people were arrested, a Rockdale sheriff's official said. All lanes have reopened, and I-20 was rapidly improving in DeKalb just before 9 a.m., according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center. No other details were released. JOHN SPINK /JSPINK@AJC.COM

The DeKalb County Police Department is getting a grant of almost $70,000 to go after dangerous drivers.

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety is giving the grant, intended for areas of high traffic incidents, to the police, according to a news release. The goal of the H.E.A.T. program is to combat crashes, injuries and deaths caused by impaired driving and speeding. It also aims to increase seatbelt use and educate about traffic safety and the dangers of DUI.

The DeKalb H.E.A.T. Unit will use the grant to "develop and implement strategies to reduce local traffic crashes due to aggressive and dangerous driving behaviors," the release said.

Like DeKalb County News Now on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter and Instagram