A traffic incident on Sunday escalated into a chase through Gwinnett County, leading to multiple criminal charges against a man, including DUI and assault on a police officer. Salvador Torres-Mandujano, 33, initiated the pursuit after a family reported to the Lilburn Police Department that he was following them, resulting in several car crashes, including one involving a patrol car.
After the family reported the harassment, they identified the white Dodge Ram to an officer, leading to the chase. The pursuit, which started at a low speed, soon escalated into a high-speed situation that posed a threat to public safety, as reported by WSBTV. Along the route, the Ram struck several vehicles, including a Lilburn police car. "He crashed into two or three motorists out on Pleasant Hill Road and I-85," Lilburn Police Captain Scott Bennett said.
The chase involved attempts to control the truck's movements, including the use of PIT maneuvers and stop sticks. "The officer was behind the vehicle, another officer tried to get beside it to slow it down and that’s when he hit him from behind," Special Police Officer Veronica Arnold with the Lilburn Police Department told FOX5 Atlanta.
Gwinnett police took over the pursuit as it entered Norcross, where Torres-Mandujano eventually left his vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Authorities located him about a mile from where he abandoned the truck, with the keys still in his pocket while he was sitting in a convenience store parking lot, according to Arnold's account to FOX5 Atlanta. Despite the collisions, officers reported no serious injuries, stating, "He did have bruising, and the airbags deployed, but overall, he’s doing pretty good. He’s back at work today," Arnold added.
Police are investigating the initial motives behind Torres-Mandujano's actions to determine why he was following the family. Jail records indicate that he remains detained in Gwinnett County, facing multiple charges.
