DeKalb Police respond to two pedestrian crashes, one fatal
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County Police responded to two pedestrian crashes in the past 24 hours, one of which resulted in the pedestrian’s death.
The first crash happened Dec. 12 at East Parkwood Road and West Ponce de Leon Avenue. Police responded at 3:53 p.m.
“The victim reportedly had moderate injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Investigators are working to determine how the incident happened,” a police spokesperson said.
Police responded to the second incident at 11:13 a.m. on Dec. 13. A vehicle hit a pedestrian on Northlake Parkway near Crescent Center Boulevard.
“Preliminary investigation suggests the victim was crossing a private driveway at Target and was struck by a FedEx truck attempting to make a turn out of that driveway onto Northlake,” a police spokesperson said. “Sadly, the pedestrian died of their injuries. The driver stayed on scene. Investigators are looking into the circumstances of the crash.”
Local governments are currently exploring more ways to improve pedestrian safety throughout DeKalb County. A recent study by pedestrian advocacy group Propel ATL found that in 2024 pedestrian fatalities in DeKalb County decreased sharply from a 10-year high in 2023, but are still the highest absolute number in the five county region, with 40 people killed by drivers. A previous report found there were 59 pedestrian deaths in 2023.
Safety upgrades include more sidewalks, safer crossings, better lighting and traffic-calming.
“Most of the county’s roadway network was developed during a period of suburban growth, focused on the automobile. Modernization of our pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure is a challenging, ongoing effort,” a spokesperson for the county previously told Decaturish.
County Commissioner Michelle Long Spears said pedestrian safety remains a major concern.
“While we’ve made meaningful progress in recent years toward creating safer, more walkable communities, too many of our streets are still designed primarily for cars rather than people,” Spears said. “Every loss of life or serious injury on our roadways underscores how much work remains to ensure that all residents — regardless of how they travel — can move safely and confidently throughout our county.”
Some recent efforts to increase pedestrian safety in DeKalb County include:
Installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at various school crosswalks throughout the county, including Briarcliff Road, Indian Creek Way and Central Drive. More locations have been proposed or are under construction.
Installation of traffic signals/pedestrian hybrid beacons at DeKalb Industrial Boulevard at Milscott Drive, and Pleasantdale Road at Pleasantdale Elementary School. The county is also bidding a project to add pedestrian hybrid beacons on North Decatur Road, and designing another to be located on Church Street near Decatur Village Drive.
Sidewalks were completed on Flat Shoals and Oxford roads. More sidewalks are being designed for Scott Boulevard, and Medlock, Snapfinger and Kensington roads.
DeKalb County has spent more than $7.3 million in special purpose local option sales tax funds on sidewalk improvements.
DeKalb County also received a federal Safe Streets for All grant of $1 million to develop a safety action plan.
Assistant editor Zoe Seiler contributed reporting to this story.
