A high-speed chase down a Georgia highway on Saturday, February 22, resulted in a beloved paraprofessional losing her life.
The Georgia State Patrol was in pursuit of 20-year-old Christopher Parker when the accident happened.
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Parker had stolen his grandmother’s car on February 20 and led police on a chase Saturday. The Georgia State Patrol stated that his speed reached as much as 95 miles per hour at times.
55-year-old Angie Townsend, a White Elementary School paraprofessional, was attempting to turn left when Parker crashed into her driver’s side door.
The reports indicate that another driver was also involved in the collision, but they had survived the accident and was taken to the hospital for injuries.
Townsend was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
Due to the impact that Townsend had in her field, the school is planning on dedicating a butterfly garden to her in a memorial service.
Parker was arrested at the crash site. He is charged with felony fleeing and attempting to elude police, felony vehicular manslaughter, felony receiving stolen property, and an additional felony for bringing stolen goods and/or property across state lines.
Police confirmed that Parker has several arrests in the state of Alabama. That was where he stole his grandmothers Mini Cooper from.
Townsend’s family would like to assist in the implementation of a new bill. One that will make police stop the high-speed chases. A lot of cities across the state have already begun implementing such policies.
The Georgia State Patrol says that they are allowed to pursue regardless. They are under different jurisdictions.
The way that a chase is determined to be appropriate or not is dependent upon the nature of the offense. The safety of the public is always first. Secondly, they factor in the traffic conditions and road conditions at the time.
The accident is still under investigation and Parker is awaiting sentencing.