DEKALB COUNTY, GA — An investigation continues Monday morning after a high-speed police chase on Interstate 20 ended in a multi-vehicle crash that killed a 7-month-old girl and the fleeing driver.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, troopers attempted to pull over 33-year-old Cameron Kemp of Covington early Sunday morning after he was spotted speeding, driving without headlights and weaving through traffic on I-20.
Authorities say Kemp refused to stop and continued driving before losing control near the Wesley Chapel Road exit. His vehicle struck a guardrail and 10 other vehicles.
One of those vehicles was carrying three infants, including 7-month-old Kalayia Tolbert, who died at the scene. The other two infants were injured and taken to the hospital.
Kemp was also injured in the crash and later died at the hospital.
Investigators say Kemp was driving with a suspended license and had two active arrest warrants, including warrants for a probation violation and failure to appear in court. He had also previously been arrested for aggravated battery.
The Georgia State Patrol says Kemp’s driving posed a danger to other motorists on the interstate.
The deadly crash comes amid ongoing concerns about police pursuit policies across metro Atlanta and Georgia. Several police chases have ended in fatal crashes in recent years, prompting some law enforcement agencies to restrict pursuits.
The Atlanta Police Department is among the agencies that have adopted a “zero chase” policy.
In response to concerns surrounding the crash, the Georgia State Patrol said troopers are responsible for protecting the public and enforcing the law. However, the agency acknowledged that those responsibilities do not diminish “the tragedy” of a child’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing.
WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & Keith Cromwell contributed to this story.