Deputies Save Kids From Burning Car After Chase: WATCH

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Two Douglas County Sheriff's deputies pulled three children from a burning car Saturday after the driver led them on a high speed chase, eventually crashing and killing the driver and another child.

Billy Fraizer, 30, of Atlanta, and front seat passenger, Quemontae Frazier, 10, of Atlanta, died in a collision following the chase and three children, who were back seat passengers, were rescued from the burning car and taken to Scottish Rite in Atlanta with critical injuries. The ages of the rescued children were 6, 5 and 3.

The condition of the children is not known and the names are not being released. The relationship between the driver and the four children has not been determined.

Frazier was driving on a suspended license, was on active probation in the state of Georgia, and was in possession of a stolen handgun, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies say Frazier also had large amounts of drugs with intent to distribute, including prescription medications, MDMA or "ecstasy," cocaine and crack cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.

According to the sheriff's office, at approximately 7:45 p.m., a deputy identified a 2006 Infiniti M 35 traveling south on Thornton Road in the area of W. Fork Boulevard. A speed detection device was used to identify the vehicle's speed as 69 mph in a 45 mph zone. The deputy attempted a traffic stop and he followed the Infiniti into the Quiktrip parking lot, located at the intersection of Maxham and Thornton Roads.

As the deputy was exiting the vehicle, the Infiniti driver sped off, through the parking lot, and back onto Thornton Road southbound, initiating a pursuit. Based on the driver's reckless driving and fact that the deputy was able to see the driver as the only occupant, the pursuit continued for approximately three miles. During that time, the driver weaved in and out of traffic in an aggressive manner, exceeding the speed limit and putting the public at risk. At one point, deputies report that the driver drove onto the concrete median.

Once the vehicle crossed over Interstate 20, the car lost a rear wheel and tire causing an increased risk to the public, reported the sheriff's office. The driver then failed to yield to a red light and crossed into the intersection striking a trailer of a semi tractor-trailer. The car continued underneath the semi tractor-trailer until it came to rest and caught fire.

It was then, according to the sheriff's office, that deputies realized that the car was also occupied by four children under the age of 16. The driver as well as the front seat passenger were both killed in the accident.

"With no regard for their own safety, deputies were able to rescue the children and extinguish the fire," said Sgt. Jesse Hambrick, sheriff's office public information officer. "

Hambrick said if the deputy knew the children were in the car, he would have very likely ended the pursuit of the vehicle, based on the situation, but said the pursuit was in accordance with all department procedures.

"It was a very, very, very bad accident," said Hambrick. "The deputies immediately knew they were dealing with injures and the fire. Several problems existed, which they handled with extreme professionalism. [The deputy] is doing well considering the circumstances, having seen and been a part of this very emotional situation. I want to commend him on the job he did in getting these three children out of this fire.

The investigation has been turned over the Georgia State Patrol.

Photo and video courtesy Douglas County Sheriff's Office