Driver killed after high-speed chase ends in crash in Cobb County

KENNESAW, Ga. - One person is dead and another was taken to a local hospital after a high-speed chase through Cobb County overnight.

Cobb County police say shortly after midnight, an officer noticed a 2013 BMW X5 going at a high rate of speed on Ernest Barnett Parkway.

"We went outside, and it was an orchestra of chaos with just a bunch of cars and everything," said neighbor Paul Clark. 

When the officer tried to stop the driver, officials say the car sped off.

"We heard a loud bang like a crash, and we went outside to see what was going on and we couldn't see anything," Clark said. "I went to my camera to see what was going on. There were 12-13 cop cars in tandem that came by, came rushing through and then two ambulances and then the fire trucks." 

FOX 5 viewer doorbell camera video captured the scene as a black BMW SUV sped down Frey Road in Kennesaw. A police squad car followed behind the vehicle.

"It's kind of a situation where you want to know if everyone is OK, but you want to stay in your house because you don't know what's happening," said Clark. 

Police say the SUV lost control while trying to turn near the intersection with Abington Walk and slammed into the stone Abington Green neighborhood sign. The vehicle then went airborne into the nearby woods, crashing into multiple trees. 

The SUV went so far into the woods that a regular tow truck couldn't get it out.  Police brought in a special piece of equipment to extract it.  While that was happening, access to the neighborhood was blocked off.

Officials have confirmed with FOX 5 that the driver of the SUV has died. Medics rushed the SUV's passenger to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.   

Investigators have not shared any details about the deceased, including if they were a man or woman and where he or she lived. 

The crash remains under investigation.

Residents say living near the intersection can be intense at times.

"It can be pretty intrusive, at times. It's just a lot of cars going through at all hours, so it really wasn't anything that I was very surprised by," said Clark. 

If you have any information about the deadly crash, call the Cobb County Police Department STEP Unit at (770) 499-3987.