Lawrenceville, GA — A 37-year-old Gwinnett County father is behind bars after police say he abandoned his young children at a crash scene and then tried to carjack two different vehicles in a nearby Publix parking lot.
Police identified the suspect as Michael Terrell, who now faces 13 charges, including hijacking a motor vehicle, DUI, and child endangerment.
Crash and Chaos on Buford Drive
According to Gwinnett County Police, the chaotic series of events began just after 6 p.m. Sunday when Terrell caused a crash at the intersection of Buford Drive and Old Peachtree Road.
Instead of checking on his 4-year-old and 8-year-old children, officers say Terrell fled across the street toward a nearby Publix parking lot.
“You left your kids there and you just ran away,” an officer can be heard telling Terrell on body camera video.
Cpl. Angela Carter with the Gwinnett County Police Department described the situation as reckless and dangerous.
“When he was attempting to hijack vehicles across the street, his 4-year-old and 8-year-old were still in the vehicle,” Carter said.
According to WSB-TV, one of the carjacking victims told police that Terrell opened their car door and tried to pull them out before being pushed away.
Failed Carjackings and Arrest at BP Gas Station
Police say Terrell tried to carjack two people in total before fleeing again. When both attempts failed, officers tracked him to a nearby BP gas station, where they were able to arrest him without further incident.
Investigators later discovered a firearm inside the driver’s side door of Terrell’s crashed vehicle. When Terrell was booked into jail, officers also found a white powdery substance, suspected to be cocaine, on his person.
“When he got to the jail, they’d actually located a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine on his person,” Cpl. Carter confirmed.
Children Unharmed but Unrestrained
Authorities say the children were not properly restrained at the time of the crash, though both were unharmed.
“It’s not common that people leave their young children in the vehicle, especially when they’re not in proper seating as well,” Carter said. “A very dangerous situation.”
Child Protective Services was notified following the incident, and the children were safely turned over to family members.
Facing Multiple Charges
Terrell remains in custody at the Gwinnett County Jail. He faces a long list of charges including:
- Two counts of hijacking a motor vehicle
- DUI
- Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
- Possession of cocaine
- Two counts of child endangerment
- Failure to maintain lane and reckless driving
Police said Terrell’s actions created a “chain of danger” that could have easily resulted in serious injuries or fatalities.
“Leaving children behind in a wrecked vehicle and trying to steal other cars shows total disregard for their safety,” one officer said.
Terrell is being held without bond as investigators continue reviewing surveillance video and evidence from the scene.
What are your thoughts on this shocking case and the increasing reports of reckless child endangerment? Share your views in the comments below.
