Infant, Man Killed In Police Chase, 10-Vehicle Pileup In GA

DECATUR, GA — An infant and a man died in a 10-vehicle pileup around midnight Sunday during a police chase in Decatur, authorities said.

The chase began when a Georgia State Patrol trooper saw an Audi traveling at about 110 mph in a 60 mph zone on I-20 around midnight, the GSP said.

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The Audi was traveling on the "darkened interstate" with no headlights, the GSP said.

The trooper blue-lighted the Audi to perform a traffic stop, but the driver briefly pulled to the shoulder before quickly driving away and causing a police chase, the GSP said.

The driver, who the GSP identified as 33-year-old Covington resident Cameron Gabriel Kemp, continued speedily driving eastbound on I-20 before exiting onto Candler Road and returning to I-20, authorities said.

As the chase continued, authorities said Kemp drove onto Wesley Chapel Road, where he lost control of the Audi and hit a guardrail.

The Audi then crashed with multiple vehicles, the GSP said. A total of 10 vehicles were involved in the crash, the GSP said.

Troopers immediately began rendering aid to people who were injured, including three infants who were taken to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, the GSP said.

However, authorities said 7-month-old Kalayia Tolbert died of her injuries. Kemp also died of his injuries while at Grady Memorial Hospital, authorities said.

It was then that investigators determined Kemp was driving on a suspended license and had two active arrest warrants against him, including one for a probation violation and another for failure to appear in court, the GSP said.

"The loss of a child is heartbreaking, and our thoughts remain with (Tolbert's) family as they face an unimaginable tragedy. We also recognize the physical and emotional impact this incident has had on the other children, motorists, families and first responders involved," authorities said.

"The Georgia Department of Public Safety recognizes that incidents involving pursuits, particularly those resulting in the loss of innocent life, raise serious concerns within the communities we serve. Our troopers are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the public, enforcing the law, and addressing dangerous driving behaviors that threaten the safety of others."

The department stated drivers who speed, travel without headlights on dark roads and those who are "recklessly maneuvering through traffic" present an immediate danger to others on the road.

"No traffic violation, attempted arrest, or enforcement action diminishes the tragedy of a child losing her life. Our responsibility now is to ensure that the circumstances surrounding this incident are thoroughly investigated while continuing to support those affected. Above all, we ask the public to keep Kalayia Tolbert's family, and everyone impacted by this tragedy in their thought," the GSP said.

The GSP's Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is investigating the crash, authorities said.