Duluth, GA — Authorities say a 53-year-old Georgia man, identified as James Mann, sparked a dangerous series of crashes across multiple counties before bizarrely parking at a local Popeyes to relax, eat, and watch the aftermath unfold.
According to the Duluth Police Department, Mann now faces a long list of charges, including Driving Under the Influence, Reckless Driving, Hit-and-Run, and Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road.
The bizarre chain of events stretched across Fulton County, Gwinnett County, and ultimately ended in Duluth, a city roughly 30 miles northeast of Atlanta.
Driving Spree Begins in Johns Creek, Police Say
The incident unfolded on Wednesday afternoon, beginning in Johns Creek, according to statements given to WSB-TV, an Atlanta-based NBC affiliate. Police say Mann was behind the wheel of a beige Volvo when he allegedly collided with several cars in Johns Creek, then continued driving north toward Duluth, striking additional vehicles along the way.
Authorities described the motorist’s path as erratic, “unpredictable,” and “dangerous to anyone who came near the roadway.”
Vehicle Seen Driving on Wrong Side of Road
Around 4:45 p.m., dispatchers in Duluth received multiple 911 calls reporting a beige Volvo traveling on the wrong side of Pleasant Hill Road, a major thoroughfare in the area. Witnesses said the car crossed over the median at one point, narrowly missing oncoming vehicles.
By the time officers arrived at the scene, Mann had already abandoned the car, but three other drivers involved in the collisions stayed behind to speak with police. One driver reported their vehicle had been hit directly, another said their car was clipped, and a third told officers they had to swerve at the last second to avoid a head-on crash.
Volvo Found Wrecked Outside Popeyes
Police eventually located the Volvo — now heavily damaged — resting on the edge of a landscaped median outside a Popeyes restaurant on Pleasant Hill Road. Officers say the vehicle had finally broken down after sustaining too much damage from repeated collisions.
As authorities surveyed the scene, multiple witnesses pointed them toward the suspect.
Suspect Found Sitting Inside Popeyes Watching the Scene
According to body camera footage obtained by local media, officers found James Mann sitting inside the Popeyes, calmly watching the chaos he allegedly caused.
“He was sitting in Popeyes the entire time,” one Duluth officer said on camera. “He was literally sitting at that table watching everybody.”
Police say Mann even ordered food while observing law enforcement respond to the crashes.
When he eventually walked outside, officers called him over and took him into custody.
Officers Suspect Xanax Intoxication
Police noted that Mann had droopy eyes, slurred speech, and slow movements — but no smell of alcohol. A search of the wrecked Volvo revealed a prescription bottle for 120 Xanax pills, filled earlier that day. According to investigators, seven pills were missing.
A drug recognition expert from the Johns Creek Police Department later examined Mann and concluded he appeared to be under the influence of a central nervous system depressant, consistent with Xanax.
Suspect Taken to Hospital for Evaluation
Mann was transported to a nearby hospital for medical clearance and chemical testing. He was then formally cited and charged with numerous traffic and drug-related violations. Additional charges may follow as the investigation continues.
Police have not released further details about injuries sustained by other drivers, but authorities confirmed multiple vehicles were damaged across county lines.
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