NBA All-Star Weekend Included Fatal Shooting on Interstate 85 in Duluth

Gwinnett County Police

Duluth, Ga. – The NBA All-Star Weekend brought a lot of guests and visitors to the Metro Atlanta area. It also resulted in a lot of criminal offenses and arrests.

One of the more serious crimes reported was the shooting of a rapper known as Chucky Trill. He was driving on Interstate 85 in Duluth when he was shot and killed near Jimmy Carter Boulevard.

As a Duluth DUI Lawyer, I have written many posts in the last year about the uptick in road rage that has occurred since the pandemic started. In today's post, I will focus on the law behind aggressive driving which is typically what leads to interstate shootings like the story above.

Aggressive Driving

The Georgia Code defines aggressive driving as: “driving with the intent to annoy, harass, molest, intimidate, injure, or obstruct another person, including without limitation violating Code Section 40-6-42 [overtaking and passing], 40-6-48 [improper lane change or usage], 40-6-49 [following too closely], 40-6-123 [failing to signal], 40-6-184 [driving too slowly], 40-6-312 [lane usage by motorcycles], or 40-6-390 [reckless driving] with such intent.” O.C.G.A. §40-6-397.

According to the statute, aggressive driving just needs to target another person - not just a driver. The aggressive driving could be directed at pedestrians or passengers in other vehicles or even passengers in the same vehicle as the aggressive driver. 

If convicted of aggressive driving, you're guilty of a high and aggravated misdemeanor. This means that the punishment could include a fine up to $5,000, jail time of up to 12 months, or both. 

A conviction for aggressive driving will also add six points to your license. This could lead to a points suspension of your Georgia driver's license if you have accumulated fifteen or more points in a consecutive 24-month period. If you're a driver under 21 years old, any offense that is four points or more will suspend your Georgia driver's license for a six-month period. 

Practice Note

Aggressive driving is another related offense to DUI in Duluth. If you or a loved one has been arrested for a serious traffic violation or related crime, call our offices now.