A pedestrian was killed in a collision involving a vehicle that DeKalb County Police officers were pursuing over a tinted license plate cover. The incident occurred near the pedestrian's home in Decatur, Georgia. According to FOX5 Atlanta, the victim has been identified as 59-year-old Terry Loman. The Georgia State Patrol, which is handling the investigation of the fatal crash, reports that the accident happened on the night of Thursday, February 12, on Candler Road near Whites Mill Road.
The chase initiated when a DeKalb County Police officer attempted to stop a sedan for having illegal window tint and an obstructed license plate, only for the driver to flee, leading to the subsequent pursuit. GSP has noted that a Mercedes-Benz hit Loman and continued fleeing southbound on Candler Road, and, after hitting Loman, the DeKalb police officer lost sight of the vehicle. The vehicle, described as a Mercedes sedan with Texas license plate number BLK63, remains at large despite ongoing search efforts.
Willie Loman, the victim's elder brother, emotionally recounted the familial loss in an interview by saying, "This was our safe haven, and he never made it home." Adding a call for justice, he stated, "They will get you. They will hunt you down like the dog you are and you will pay for my brother's death," according to a statement obtained by FOX5 Atlanta. Terry Loman, remembered by his family as a jokester who loved his family, was the youngest of three brothers and a father to three children.
DeKalb County Police Department announced that it would conduct a review of the chase, following departmental policy. The department stated, "On February 12, 2026, at approximately 8:45 p.m., a DeKalb County Police officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Candler Road near Whites Mill Road after observing violations, specifically illegal window tint and an obstructed license plate due to a heavily tinted tag cover." The information continued, indicating that a pursuit was initiated after the driver fled the scene, according to 11Alive. A message of condolence was also extended, affirming that their "thoughts are with the family of the pedestrian who lost their life in this tragic incident."
As the pursuit of the hit-and-run driver continues, State troopers, part of the Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team, are assisting in the investigation. Anyone with information about the vehicle or the incident is encouraged to reach out to the SCRT-C at (706)624-1484. The release of body-worn camera footage will be "handled in accordance with Georgia law and department policy," the DeKalb County Police Department emphasized.
