Decatur man killed by fleeing vehicle during police chase, authorities say

Written by: A. Smith

Published February 26, 2026 @ 12:00 PM ET

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. – A 59-year-old Decatur resident was struck and killed by a vehicle fleeing from police in unincorporated DeKalb County on Thursday night, authorities said.

Family and police officials identified the victim as Terry Loman, a father of three who had a passion for lawncare.

The incident occurred around 8:45 p.m. on Candler Road near Whites Mill Road when a DeKalb County officer attempted to stop a Mercedes-Benz sedan for window and license plate tint violations, according to the police department and Georgia State Patrol.

The driver initially pulled over but then accelerated and fled the scene, prompting a police pursuit. During the chase, the suspect’s vehicle struck Loman with its front bumper before continuing to flee. The officer lost sight of the vehicle and terminated the pursuit.

Police continue to search for the black Mercedes-Benz involved in the incident. The vehicle’s license plate is listed as BLK63. Anyone with information about the vehicle or the incident is urged to contact the Georgia State Patrol at (706) 624-1484.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety released photos of the vehicle on social media as part of the search effort.

DeKalb County has put more emphasis on police pursuits within the last year. In March 2025, the department updated its police pursuit protocols in an effort to reduce crime.

“Effective immediately, a pursuit may be initiated if there is probable cause to believe that the suspect being pursued has committed any crime – whether felony, misdemeanor, or any traffic offense,” Police Chief Gregory Padrick said at the time.

Prior to this change, pursuits were focused on alleged offenders of violent crimes. Police pursuits remain a contentious issue nationwide, with departments balancing public safety concerns against the risks posed by high-speed chases.

Georgia State Patrol is leading the investigation into the deadly crash. The DeKalb County Police Department said it will review this pursuit, as is standard for all pursuits, to ensure it complies with its policies.