3 Car Accident on North Avenue Injures Up To 8 People

Atlanta Police are investigating a multiple car crash that happened on North Avenue outside of The Varsity, injuring as many as seven people. 

As part of the incident, a male suffered a gunshot wound to his hand and another gunshot victim was taken to Grady Hospital where he is listed in critical condition, according to Atlanta Police Officer John Chafee. Earlier reports did not mention the second gunshot victim, and some details of the incident remain unclear.

Around 2:30 p.m. Friday, 911 started receiving multiple calls regarding traffic accidents at Spring St and Ponce De Leon Ave and Spring Street and North Ave began being reported to 911, Chafee said.

Police say they believe the incident began when a red SUV exited the Varsity parking lot onto Spring St and struck a vehicle, pushing it into a white SUV. The white SUV ended up flipped onto its side as it was pushed into the middle of the intersection.

"The red SUV continued south on Spring St. at a high rate of speed and struck four additional vehicles in the intersection of North Ave and Spring St. The occupants of the red SUV then fled on foot," Chafee said in a statement.

After setting up a perimeter around the scene of the crashes, Atlanta Police officers were able to catch and arrest 3 suspects - 2 males and 1 female, near the scene.

"At this time it appears that eight people including a 3- and 4-year-old were injured as a result of the traffic accidents. Seven (including the children) were transported to the hospital and all are stable," reported Atlanta Police Public Affairs.

On man was found to be shot in the hand. Later Friday, police said a second person was also shot:

One of the males had a gunshot wound to the hand and the other male and female were not injured.  An additional gunshot wound victim was located on scene and transported to Grady Hospital where he is listed in critical condition. The circumstances surrounding the shootings remains under investigation and no charges have been file at this point.

"This was not an officer involved shooting," says Chafee.

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