DeKalb sheriff’s deputy, K-9 involved in deadly crash on Covington Highway

Covington Highway in Lithonia was temporarily shut down Friday after a deadly multivehicle wreck involving a DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit, according to police.

Deputy Sheriff Phillip J. Snow and his K-9 were pulled from the crash, which was caused by another driver who lost control of a car and hit the deputy’s marked Chevy Tahoe, police spokesman J.D. Spencer said.

Deputy Phillip Snow, a 22-year veteran of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, and his K-9 partner, Tomi, were involved in a crash Friday morning on Covington Highway. 

According to Channel 2 Action News, the driver may have had some kind of medical emergency before the 9:45 a.m. head-on collision on Covington Highway near Cragstone Court. That driver, whose identity was not released, was pronounced dead on the scene, according to police.

Snow, who has been with the sheriff’s office for 22 years, was alert when he was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital  with serious leg injuries. He is stable, Spencer said. The K-9, Tomi, was taken to the agency’s veterinarian and released.

Three other vehicles were involved in the crash, according to Channel 2. However, no one else had serious injuries, the news station reported.