Teen dies after stealing police vehicle in Forsyth County, officials say

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. - A 15-year-old male died Monday evening after reportedly stealing a Sandy Springs Police Department patrol vehicle and leading Forsyth County deputies to intervene in a dramatic incident near South Forsyth High School.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office received a report just before 7 p.m. Jan. 6 that a Sandy Springs police vehicle had been stolen from an officer’s driveway in Forsyth County while the officer was not at home. At 7:11 p.m., deputies located the stolen car on Peachtree Parkway near Sharon Road.

Deputies performed a "box-in" maneuver to stop the vehicle near South Forsyth High School. During the maneuver, the stolen car struck the rear of a marked Forsyth County patrol car. Upon approaching the vehicle, deputies realized the driver was not responding to commands and appeared to be bleeding from the head.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

The driver was quickly removed from the vehicle and the deputies attempted life-saving measures, according to the sheriff's office. Central EMS transported the driver to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

He was later identified as a 15-year-old family member of the officer whose vehicle was stolen. 

The case is being investigated by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit. The Sandy Springs Police Department is fully cooperating with the investigation. Further details have not been released.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Zalik Behavioral and Mental Health Center – Clinic works with children who come through its emergency room to fill gaps in the current mental health care system.

Georgia Crisis & Access Line — (GCAL) – 1-800-715-4225, available 24/7. The free MYGCAP app is specific for teens, too, and has a chat function! 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-TALK (8255) also offers 24/7 connection with a trained counselor at a local crisis center, or Text "START" to 741-741

The Trevor Project – Suicide prevention hotline for LGTBQ youth ages 13-24, 24/7/365. Text START to 678-678 to connect to a counselor "who is understanding of LGBTQ issues and won’t judge …. messages are anonymous."