Couple says they’re out $50K after a police chase led to a crash into their Gwinnett County business

SNELLVILLE, Ga. — A Gwinnett County husband and wife say they’re out $50,000 after a police chase led to a car crashing into their business and damaging more than a dozen trailers.

Joanna and Craig Minix own Trailers & Hitches, Inc. in Loganville off Highway 78.

On Jan. 14, they came to their business to discover fences destroyed and 14 trailers with twisted and bent metal that’s difficult to repair and expensive to replace.

“(Trailers) were scattered all over and nothing but a business card on the door,” Craig Minix told Channel 2′s Matt Johnson.

The business card belonged to a Snellville Police officer.

The couple later learned that the damage was from the aftermath of a Snellville Police chase that happened Jan. 13.

When the couple filed a claim for reimbursement of damages, they say the request was denied.

“You try and make a living and it’s hard to do when you’ve been dinged for $50,000 and no one wants to step up,” Craig Minix said.

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Snellville police reports reveal the chase began in Snellville and ended in Loganville at around 4 a.m. when officers chased a 16-year-old in a stolen car at 112 mph.

Norcross police initially started a chase with the same vehicle the same day but called off the chase due to dangerous conditions.

In an incident report, one Snellville officer wrote, “The vehicle was stolen during a burglary with approximately 20 firearms as well.”

A Snellville officer did a PIT maneuver to stop the suspect he believed was armed, sending the car into the Minix’s trailers off Highway 78.

“It doesn’t make sense to me that they’re chasing a $10,000 stolen vehicle and incur $50,000 worth of damage,” Craig Minix said.

The couple told Johnson that they called the city of Snellville only to find out the city wouldn’t pay for the damages.

Lawyers told them it can be difficult to file a claim when operable vehicles haven’t been damaged and when officers are in pursuit of someone connected to a felony.

“It’s just frustrating because it seems like they’re operating without impunity,” Craig Minix said.

A city spokesperson told Channel 2 Action News that “there is no comment at this time regarding what the insurance provider is working out with this business.”

The owners say they’ve already received an answer and now they’re hoping the city reconsiders.

“I don’t want anything that’s not mine,” Craig Minix said. “I just want what’s damaged to be replaced.”

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