According to a Dalton Police Department incident report, On September 18th, 2023, at 9:42 PM, Officer Sosa was conducting an investigation at 711 East Morris Street when he noticed a black Ford F-150 that matched the exact description of a vehicle that had fled from a traffic stop on September 14th, 2023. Officer Sosa had witnessed the Ford F-150 driving at an extremely high rate of speed, heading west on East Walnut Ave at Lester Street. When the officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop near the intersection of Walnut Ave and Sheridan Ave, the Ford sped up, passing all traffic fleeing. The driver then drove over the center lane divider and started to drive on the wrong side of the roadway through the red light, turning onto V.D. Parrott Jr Pkwy. The vehicle was later spotted driving recklessly and fled two other times from Officer Bethune. Officer Sosa advised Officer Herrera of the information, and they were able to locate the vehicle at a house and confirmed that it was the correct vehicle that had fled from officers. The officers made contact with owner Francisco Estrada-Santos. The owner advised his son, Fernando Estrada-Huerta, 18, of Dalton, had been driving the truck. When Fernando was asked if he was driving the truck, Fernando stated, “Not me.” Officers then asked him who drives the truck, and he stated his sister did. Officer Sosa reported, “[I] then asked Fernando who drove the truck on Thursday, and he answered, “What time?” [I] then asked him if he drove the truck on Thursday, and he stated: “I drove it after work.” [I] then asked him for his driver’s license, and he stated, [I] don’t have one. At this time, Francisco walked up to Fernando and asked him who was driving the truck because there was a video of someone driving the truck that fled from the police. Fernando then stated it wasn’t me. [I] asked Fernando are you sure because [I] saw you driving the truck on Thursday when [I] drove past you fleeing. Francisco then asked Fernando again who was driving the truck. Fernando then stated, “I was”. Francisco then asked Fernando why he had run for. Fernando stated, “You know why I ran.” Fernando was booked into the Whitfield County Jail and charged with felony fleeing x3, reckless driving, driving while unlicensed, wrong side of the roadway, and traffic light violation.
Unlicensed teen arrested after driving extremely reckless and fleeing Dalton PD on Walnut Ave
