Wild police chase ends in crash involving Georgia State Patrol car, stolen car

ATLANTA — A police chase involving a stolen vehicle ended with an SUV flipping over on its roof in northwest Atlanta Friday morning. A Georgia State Police car was also damaged in the crash.

Channel 2's Lauren Pozen was the first reporter at the scene on Cameron Alexander Boulevard as investigators worked to piece together the scene.

Officers they spotted a stolen SUV a couple blocks away from the crash site at Joseph P. Lowerly Boulevard and Jett Street. Atlanta police told Pozen they tried to pull over the driver but she wouldn't stop. That's when the high-speed chase began.

"Georgia State Patrol arrived on scene, took lead of the pursuit and eventually performed a pit maneuver, bringing the chase to an end," Sgt. John Chafee, with Atlanta police said.

The patrol car received significant rear-end damage but the officer wasn't injured. The SUV flipped, injuring the female suspect. Debris was scattered across the road and into the yards of nearby homes.

Maria Rodriguez was taken into custody and treated at the hospital.

Pozen spoke to a witness who saw the car fly by.

"I'm sitting at school, on the couch, and it just goes by so fast around the corner, " Amyiah Write said. "And all I hear is police sirens behind her."

Rodriguez faces a number of charges, including car theft and reckless driving. Pozen found out Rodriguez was charged with possession of drugs and theft in June.

Write said Rodriguez should be glad she escaped such a violent crash with her life.

"It looks terrible," Write said. "I am surprised she made it out alive."

Cox Media Group