A teen faces multiple felony charges for a Mableton Parkway collision that resulted in one death. He was arrested without incident on October 28, and taken to the Marietta Regional Youth Detention Center.

According to a press release from Officer Sydney Melton of the Cobb County Police Department, the charges include “Felony Murder, Vehicular Homicide – 1^st Degree (F), Theft by Taking (F), Fleeing and Attempting to Elude (F), Reckless Driving (M), and Driving without a License (M).”

Investigators from the Cobb police Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Unit investigated the collision.

A July public information release described the incident as follows:

Per investigators, a black 2014 Nissan Altima was reported stolen in Precinct Two earlier this evening. Officers located the stolen vehicle near Shenandoah Trail in Austell. The Nissan fled southbound on Mableton Parkway and officers discontinued the pursuit.

The Nissan continued southbound on Mableton Parkway and entered the northbound lanes to pass another southbound vehicle. The Nissan collided head-on with a northbound grey Lexus RX350. A third vehicle, a black 2013 Infiniti M37, then collided with the Nissan.

The juvenile later charged in the accident, who was the driver of the Nissan, was seriously injured and taken to Grady Hospital.

The front seat passenger of the Nissan, later identified as Deangelo T. Lovett, 17, of Austell, was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin has been notified.

The driver of the Lexus was was taken to Wellstar Cobb Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Infiniti did not require medical attention.

The STEP Unit

The STEP Unit, which investigates serious or fatal traffic crashes, is one of the Cobb County Police Department’s Special Operations units, and  is described on the web page of the Cobb County Police Department as follows:

“The Selective Traffic Enforcement Unit is responsible for investigating all fatal traffic crashes, enforcement of traffic laws in those areas which analysis indicates an elevated amount of crashes. They are also responsible for the administration and execution of the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program. They also take part in special security details, and investigate crashes involving Department vehicles when requested.”