Gwinnett County

Hit-and-run suspect dies in crash on I-85, police say

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County police say a hit-and-run suspect died in a single-car crash Tuesday morning.

Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach first told you about the wreck during Channel 2 Action News This Morning.

Gelhbach saw the car that ran off a ramp from Highway 20 onto Interstate 85 southbound in Gwinnett County around 6 a.m.

The Mini Cooper crashed head-on into a concrete barrier wall as the driver tried to evade police.

Gwinnett County police said the man inside the car died.

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Gwinnett police are not calling the crash a chase.

"My understanding is it didn't really rise to the level of pursuit." Sgt. Jake Smith said. "We don't really chase in Gwinnett for traffic charges, which this qualifies for…so in less than minute he had already crashed into the wall."

Police have not released the driver's identity. They say he hit another car nearby on the interstate. Both drivers initially pulled over. Smith said the other driver talked to the suspect, who took off before officers arrived.

"I don't know the content of that conversation if it was combative or what, but that at-fault driver didn't see fit to stick around and wait for police," Smith said.

Within minutes, police spotted the damaged Mini Cooper, who fled. Police said wet roads and speed were a factor in the crash.

"We didn't see any ice here this morning, but the pavement was wet, and obviously speed played a factor," Smith said. "He came down here way too fast, tried to make the sharp right hand turn about where that red car is, lost control and hit the wall."

It's too early to tell if drugs or alcohol were also factors in the crash, police said.