Teen dies after alleged theft of Sandy Springs patrol car near school

A 15-year-old male was pronounced dead Monday evening after authorities say he stole a Sandy Springs Police Department patrol car from an officer’s driveway in Forsyth County and led deputies to a stop near South Forsyth High School.

Forsyth County deputies received a report just before 7 p.m. that the patrol vehicle had been taken while the officer was not at home. Deputies located the stolen car on Peachtree Parkway near Sharon Road at 7:11 p.m. and executed a box-in maneuver to stop the vehicle near South Forsyth High School. During the maneuver, the stolen car struck the rear of a marked Forsyth County patrol car. When deputies approached the vehicle, they found the driver unresponsive and bleeding from the head; he was removed, transported to a hospital and later pronounced deceased. The driver was identified as a 15-year-old family member of the officer whose vehicle had been taken.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation with full cooperation from the Sandy Springs Police Department. Sheriff’s Office officials provided the timeline and investigative details to local authorities. No arrests or charges have been announced publicly as the investigation continues.

The crash occurred in close proximity to South Forsyth High School, a fact that has heightened anxiety among parents, students and staff. School officials were notified and the presence of law enforcement in the area prompted temporary disruptions for traffic and student drop-off. Community members expressed concern about youth access to vehicles and the broader safety implications of a patrol car being taken from a private driveway.

Beyond immediate safety questions, the episode raises policy considerations for off-duty officers and their families about securing department vehicles parked at residences. It also underscores the importance of interagency cooperation when incidents cross jurisdictional lines; the Forsyth County Major Crimes Unit’s role alongside Sandy Springs police reflects those protocols.

For anyone affected by the incident or in need of emotional support, residents may contact emergency services at 911 or the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Additional behavioral health support is available through the Georgia Crisis and Access Line at 1-800-715-4225.

Information in this report was provided by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation remains active and officials have asked anyone with information to contact law enforcement.