Driver On I-285 Shot, Killed By Own Passenger

DECATUR, GA — A driver on Interstate 285 in DeKalb County was shot and killed by a passenger in his own car early Thursday, according to police.

The shooting appears to have been accidental. The shooter, a 29-year-old man, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter due to reckless conduct, according to DeKalb County Police.

Police say the car was headed east on I-285 near Flat Shoals Road at about 3 a.m. That's when a passenger in the back seat fired a shot that went through the driver's seat and struck the 41-year-old man who was driving.

He was able to pull over onto the side of the highway, according to police spokeswoman Shiera Campbell.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

The man was taken to a local hospital in critical condition and later died. His wife, who was in the passenger's seat, also was taken to the hospital after suffering what appeared to be a panic attack.

Investigators detained the two backseat passengers in the car for questioning before charges were filed.

The two right lanes of I-285 North were reopened at about 5:15 a.m.

Photo via Shutterstock