A stolen U-Haul tearing through metro Atlanta traffic ended up on its side in Paulding County after deputies moved in, according to local video of the scene. The chase came to a grinding halt when the truck flipped, the driver was taken into custody on the spot, and deputies say they discovered drugs inside the vehicle. The pursuit, which officers say started in Cobb County, was caught on a Paulding County deputy’s dash camera and has since made the rounds online.
Dashcam Shows Chase From Cobb Into Paulding
In the dashcam footage, the U-Haul can be seen weaving through traffic, clipping another vehicle and blowing through red lights as it heads out of Cobb County and into Paulding. As reported by WSB-TV, Paulding deputies joined the pursuit, and one deputy ultimately struck the moving truck in an effort to bring it to a stop. The U-Haul rolled onto its side, and deputies smashed out the windshield to pull the driver from the cab. Officials later said they found illicit drugs inside the truck.
Arrest Follows Dramatic Crash
According to WFAA, the driver was arrested after the crash and taken into custody without further incident. Authorities confirmed the U-Haul was stolen and say the chase started when a Marietta officer switched on lights and sirens, only for the driver to speed up instead of stopping. Investigators are reviewing the dashcam and other video shared with law enforcement as they coordinate with neighboring agencies on related leads.
Charges, Wanted Notices And What Deputies Said
Paulding County officials said the suspect, identified by deputies as Damian Jones, was already wanted in DeKalb County, Monroe County and New Jersey when he was arrested, per WSB-TV. In a blunt assessment included in that report, officials said, "We charged him with everything from drug trafficking to reckless driving to speeding — you name it." Investigators are now working with multiple jurisdictions to address outstanding warrants and decide whether more charges should be added to the list.
What Residents Should Know
Officials have asked anyone who has video or information related to the chase or crash to share it with investigators. The Paulding County website lists contact details for tips and non-emergency calls, and the county’s detention center is handling bookings tied to the case. The sheriff’s office says public safety remains its top priority as the case moves forward. The dashcam footage, now widely shared, has also stirred fresh debate over when and how agencies choose to continue high-speed pursuits, and authorities say the incident will be reviewed as part of the broader criminal process.
