A father and son accused of running from Johns Creek police and causing a crash that killed a couple in Gwinnett County appeared before a judge Thursday morning for a preliminary hearing.

According to Channel 2 Action News,

a Johns Creek police officer spotted a white Ford Crown Victoria that resembled a police car and looked suspicious with its multiple antennas, Johns Creek police Capt. Chris Byers previously said.

The officer tried to pull over the vehicle, driven by Thomas, for an equipment violation, Byers said.

Thomas appeared to stop, then accelerated, initiating a 2-minute, 4-mile police chase that reached speeds up to 83 mph before the Crown Victoria collided with a silver Mercedes at the intersection of Peachtree Parkway and Jay Bird Alley in Gwinnett County, authorities said.

The occupants of the Mercedes — Krawczynski and Krawczynska — were killed, police said.

In court Thursday morning, police said Despite those claims, father and son denied possessing and using drugs prior to the crash.

Police said Larry and Jesse Thomas are under federal investigation for meth and gun possession in their home state of Tennessee, according to Channel 2.