A former South Fulton Police Department Crime Scene Investigator is out of a job and facing DUI charges after a New Year's Eve mishap saw her crashing a city-owned vehicle. Najiyah McKinney, who had been employed with the department for approximately a year, was dismissed following the accident, which occurred in the early hours on West Paces Ferry Road, as reported by WSB-TV.
McKinney was navigating a curve around 4:30 a.m. when she struck the curb, subsequently colliding with a utility pole and a mailbox. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, she was released from the hospital with a citation including charges for reckless driving, failure to maintain her lane, and DUI. The aftermath of the accident left the city SUV in a state that suggests it may be beyond repair.
Police Chief Keith Meadows did not hesitate to act upon learning of McKinney's alleged infraction. "We received a call from the Atlanta Police Department in reference to one of our employees possibly driving under the influence," Meadows told WSB-TV. Following an internal investigation, McKinney's termination was swift and decisive. Meadows emphasized the department's stringent policies relating to the use of city vehicles and a zero-tolerance stance on driving under the influence of any substance.
In the face of these events, the South Fulton Police Department's internal probe has concluded due to McKinney's firing. However, despite her release from the department's employ, she must still confront the DUI charges leveled against her. This underscores a narrative all too common—where the perils of irresponsible driving cast a shadow not just over the individual responsible, but also over the institutions they serve.
