Retired Atlanta Judge Elaine Carlisle Involved in I-75 Collision

A retired high-profile Atlanta judge was identified as the victim in an accident on Friday, February 21.

65-year-old Elaine Carlisle was driving her silver Mercedes C300 on I-285. As she went to get on the I-75 South ramp, she failed to stay in her lane and left the roadway.

When she left the road, her car went over the median and drove into the lanes for I-75 South. 38-year-old Freddie Hodge of Douglasville was driving down I-75 South at the same time Carlisle’s car entered the interstate.

His white Chevrolet Express van hit the driver’s side of the Mercedes and sent it across all the lanes of southbound I-75. The Mercedes then crashed into the concrete median wall.

Carlisle was assessed by emergency personnel at the scene. They determined she had suffered a serious head injury and transported her to WellStar Kennestone Hospital. She later died from the injuries that she sustained in the accident.

Hodge was also taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital from the scene. He was experiencing chest pains from the deployment of the airbag.

Carlisle retired from being a judge in 2016. This was almost three decades of serving after being appointed in 1989.

She is known for several high-profile cases, including denying Ray Lewis’ bond request. This occurred the night of the 2000 Super Bowl when he was involved in a deadly knife fight. He later struck a plea deal with the prosecution.

She presided over the case of a northwest Atlanta church that was on trial for child cruelty charges. All four members of the church were eventually convicted of the charges.

The investigation into the accident is ongoing. Police are hoping to uncover what made Carlisle lose control of her car in the first place. There was no additional information released on Hodge or his condition.