Executive Summary
- DeKalb County Police are investigating two pedestrian crashes that occurred within 24 hours on Dec. 12 and 13.
- One pedestrian died following a collision on Northlake Parkway; another was hospitalized after being struck on West Ponce de Leon Avenue.
- Propel ATL data shows DeKalb County retains the highest number of pedestrian fatalities in the region, with 40 deaths in 2024.
- County officials are utilizing federal grants and local tax funds to install new safety beacons and sidewalks.
DeKalb County Police are investigating two separate pedestrian collisions that occurred within a 24-hour period, resulting in one fatality and leaving another individual with moderate injuries. The incidents have prompted renewed scrutiny of roadway safety in the area, as local officials continue efforts to upgrade pedestrian infrastructure.
According to a police spokesperson, the fatal incident took place on December 13 at approximately 11:13 a.m. A vehicle struck a pedestrian on Northlake Parkway near Crescent Center Boulevard. Authorities confirmed that the pedestrian succumbed to their injuries. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators, who are currently working to determine the specific circumstances surrounding the crash.
The second incident occurred the previous day, December 12, at 3:53 p.m. at the intersection of East Parkwood Road and West Ponce de Leon Avenue. Police reported that the victim sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Investigators are working to establish the cause of this collision as well.
Data released by the pedestrian advocacy group Propel ATL indicates that while pedestrian fatalities in DeKalb County have decreased from a 10-year high in 2023, the area still records the highest absolute number of such deaths in the five-county region. The report notes that 40 people were killed by drivers in 2024, compared to 59 the previous year. County Commissioner Michelle Long Spears acknowledged the ongoing risks, stating that while progress has been made, too many streets remain designed primarily for automobiles rather than pedestrian traffic.
In response to safety concerns, DeKalb County officials have initiated several infrastructure upgrades. These include the installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at school crosswalks on Briarcliff Road and Central Drive, as well as new traffic signals and pedestrian hybrid beacons at key intersections. The county has allocated over $7.3 million in special purpose local option sales tax funds for sidewalk improvements and secured a $1 million federal “Safe Streets for All” grant to develop a comprehensive safety action plan.
Public Safety Impact
The clustering of these incidents highlights the persistent challenge of retrofitting suburban roadway networks, originally designed for high-speed vehicular travel, to accommodate modern pedestrian needs. While the statistical decrease in year-over-year fatalities suggests that safety interventions may be taking effect, the continued high volume of incidents in DeKalb County underscores the critical lag between infrastructure planning and implementation. As the investigation into these specific crashes proceeds, the focus for municipal planners will likely remain on accelerating the deployment of traffic-calming measures and protected crossings in high-density corridors to mitigate further loss of life.
