Anthony Stokes, 17, of Decatur, died Tuesday after crashing a stolen car while running from police. At the time, he was a suspect in a failed burglary and a carjacking, which police believe were linked to the fatal crash of the black Honda Accord on Ga. 9, Officer Lisa Holland said.
But it’s not the first time Stokes has been in the news. He made national headlines less than two years ago.
Aug. 11, 2013: The family of Stokes, then a 15-year-old heart patient, said doctors at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston informed them that the DeKalb County teen, who was in need of a new heart, would not be placed on a transplant waiting list because of his past behavior.
Aug. 13, 2013: The hospital agreed to put Stokes on the donor list for a new heart, the teen's family said.
“We met with hospital officials about 30 minutes ago,” family spokesman Mark Bell said this afternoon. “After reviewing the situation, they said Anthony would be placed on the list for a heart transplant and that he would be first in line, due to his weakened heart condition.”
Aug. 21, 2013: Stokes underwent a five-hour transplant surgery.
Oct. 3, 2013: In an interview with Jovita Moore of Channel 2 Action News, Stokes said he had gotten into trouble after some fights at school. He said he had forgiven the hospital for judging him.
“Because God, he like, said forgive,” Stokes said.
Stokes said he deserved a second chance because he has the rest of his life to live.
“So I can live. A second chance. Get a second chance and do, do things I want to do,” Stokes said.
Nov. 20, 2014: Stokes turns 17.
Jan 10, 2015: Stokes was arrested and charged with possession of tools for the commission of a crime and criminal attempt, DeKalb County jail records showed.
Feb. 3, 2015: Stokes was released from jail after posting $5,000 bond, records showed.
March 30, 2015: Stokes died after fleeing police following a carjacking and a burglary. An elderly Roswell woman told Channel 2 that Stokes shot at her after he kicked in her door and found her inside watching television.
Stokes clipped a car in the intersection and then jumped the curb and hit a pedestrian before colliding with a SunTrust Bank sign, Holland said.
“He lost control and there was a long set of skid marks,” she said.
Stokes died after rescue workers cut him out of Honda, Holland said. The pedestrian was taken to the hospital, but is expected to survive her injuries, police said.
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