Dramatic Atlanta police chase ends in high-speed crash, 3 children rescued unharmed
ATLANTA – A heart-stopping police pursuit came to a dramatic end in Atlanta when a man with a lengthy criminal record led officers on a high-speed chase with three children in his vehicle. The incident, captured on video released by the Atlanta Police Department, unfolded on December 20, 2023, leaving onlookers in shock.
The chaotic events began at approximately 12:15 p.m. at a gas station along Jonesboro Road SE near Interstate 285. A male suspect fired shots at the gas station before fleeing in a gray Jeep Cherokee. Luckily, no one was injured by the gunfire, but the property sustained damage.
Officer Torez Griffie of the Atlanta Police Department described the suspect’s frantic attempts to escape. He was driving erratic, crazy, all over the road, Griffie said. Despite the dangerous driving, officers quickly issued a lookout bulletin for the SUV.
Not long after, police units spotted the vehicle at a fast-food drive-thru just one block away. Rather than complying with the traffic stop, the driver, later identified as 39-year-old William Burris, fled the scene. To the officers’ horror, they discovered that Burris had left his three young children, ages 8, 7, and 4, in the SUV.
The pursuit stretched through various parts of Atlanta, reaching Forest Park before circling back. Officer Griffie recounted the extreme recklessness with which Burris drove, reaching dangerously high speeds on city streets. Ultimately, the chase came to a crashing halt in the area of 2000 Lakewood Ave.
In a startling turn of events, the suspect swerved in front of an officer, causing a collision and executing a PIT (Precision Immobilization Technique) maneuver on himself. The SUV careened through a utility pole, breaking it apart, before coming to rest in a grassy area off the road. The scene was one of destruction and chaos.
Amidst the wreckage, officers rushed to check on the well-being of the three children trapped inside the vehicle. Concerned for their safety, Officer Griffie expressed his relief upon discovering that the children were unharmed, albeit shaken. They were promptly moved to a place of safety and received medical evaluation for complaints of pain.
The focus then turned to apprehending Burris. Officers surrounded the SUV, pointing Tasers at the suspect before extracting him from the wreckage through the driver-side door. Despite his resistance, Burris was eventually brought under control, handcuffed, and taken into custody. Police later recovered a firearm from the passenger area of the vehicle.
William Burris, a repeat offender with a staggering 37 previous arrest cycles, now faces a multitude of charges. These include fleeing and eluding, driving with a suspended license, possession of marijuana and a controlled substance, multiple counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies, kidnapping, first-degree cruelty to children, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, second-degree criminal damage to property, and failure to report striking a fixed object.
Following the crash, Burris received treatment for injuries sustained in the collision at Grady Detention Center. He was later transferred to the Fulton County Jail.
The harrowing incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers on a daily basis. Thanks to their swift response and bravery, the three innocent children caught in the midst of the chaos were rescued unharmed. As the investigation unfolds, the Atlanta community remains grateful for the tireless efforts of the police in ensuring their safety and upholding the rule of law.
