SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — Law enforcement officers are investigating a fatal crash in south metro Atlanta that involved a City of South Fulton Police officer and a work van.
It happened Sunday evening around 11 p.m. on the northbound lane of I-85 from SR 138.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, three people from the van were killed in the wreck.
Three others were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in downtown Atlanta, as was the South Fulton police officer. He was identified as Deontae Walker, 27. He's been with the department since it's creation earlier this year. Before that, he was a Fulton County Police officer. There is no word on his condition.
Georgia State Patrol investigators said the City of South Fulton Police were in pursuit of a recently stolen Mercedes Benz in the area. The Mercedes had multiple occupants.
Officer Walker was traveling eastbound on Georgia 138 approaching the intersection with Interstate 85 north. A white work van with six occupants was making a left turn onto GA 138 west from I-85 north and entered the path of the patrol vehicle, according to GSP.
The patrol vehicle struck the left side of the van causing it to overturn onto its top and catch fire. The patrol vehicle also caught fire and was severely burned.
Investigators said Walker was able to escape the vehicle but suffered minor injuries.
Efforts are being made to identify the occupants of the van who were killed and injured.
The Georgia State Patrol's Troop C Specialized Reconstruction Team will be handling additional investigation of this crash.
