Police sergeant charged with homicide after 2 ejected during high-speed chase

Written by: A. Smith

Published September 25, 2025 @ 10:04 AM ET

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – A College Park police sergeant faces several felony charges after authorities say he pursued a vehicle in August that resulted in a deadly crash and left the scene without offering aid.

Sgt. Donnie Smith was charged with first-degree vehicular homicide, hit and run resulting in serious injury or death, reckless driving, violation of oath by a public officer, and failure to report an accident, according to arrest warrants.

The charges stem from an incident on Aug. 17 near Riverdale Road in Riverdale, where Smith allegedly chased a 2009 Land Rover on Interstate 285 at speeds exceeding 100 mph in a “reckless manner,” according to warrants. Investigators said the pursuit did not meet Georgia’s requirements for authorized emergency vehicle chases.

Two people died after they were ejected from the Land Rover, which officials said left the roadway, struck a tree, and split in half. Warrants state Smith did not stop to assist or report the crash after witnessing the collision.

One affidavit said Smith “acted in a reckless manner while violating the statute” and that “driving away from the accident of the vehicle he was pursuing shows evidence of his gross negligence and willful or wanton misconduct.”

Details about Smith’s current employment status have not been released.

College Park officials referred questions about the case to the district attorney’s office, noting that it is an ongoing legal matter.