Coweta Co. woman killed after speeding 14-year-old crashes into home

ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) - A woman is dead and two others are injured after a teen crashed into their Coweta County home amid a police chase, officials say.

Authorities tell CBS46 deputies were patrolling Highway 54 and Johnson Road when they found a vehicle that had allegedly failed to dim its headlights. A traffic stop was attempted at which point the driver sped off. The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office says the driver, who was later identified as a 14-year-old boy, reached speeds over 130 miles per hour.

The deputies lost sight of the car and began asking residents in the area if they had seen the driver. One resident allegedly told officers that they saw a vehicle crash into their neighbor’s house.

After finding the crashed vehicle, deputies learned that a family of three was inside and had sustained injuries. All three were alert when first responders arrived. However, the woman, identified as Annette Rush, 56, later died at the hospital from what her family said was internal bleeding and a heart attack.

“It seems like a dream, a picture you might see on TV, but it’s real,” Dennis said. “She was the pillar of our family.”

CBS46 reached out the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office to get information about the agency’s pursuit policy. A department spokesperson did not reply to our request. However, Sheriff Lenn Wood discussed the topic last week at a Kiwanis Club meeting.

According to the Newnan Times-Herald, Wood addressed the crowd saying, “So many of the metro counties have developed no chase policies, so they think ‘If I run, I’ll get away.’ we don’t do that here in Coweta. we don’t want that crime here, and we’ll stop it as quickly as possible.”

Dennis said she forgives the teen driver.

“He’s got to settle that himself,” said. “That’s between him and God. He’s going to have a long time to think about it.”

Dennis said she will miss her niece, who she described as a hard worker and loving mother, who was active in her church and community.

“We love her,” she added. “We know she’s at rest now.”

The driver of the vehicle, who will not be identified at this time because he is a minor, was arrested and taken to a youth detention center.

The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office will be handling the traffic offenses of the juvenile. Georgia State Patrol will be handling the charge of Homicide by Vehicle.

Rush’s family started a GoFundMe to help cover her funeral expenses and “special care” need for her disabled son. If you are interested in helping the family, click here.

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