GWINNETT CO. POLICE NEWS RELEASE:
“Criminal charges have been obtained for the driver of one of the the vehicles involved in this fatality collision.
Emanuel Rene Esfahani (age 20, Lawrenceville) has been charged with five counts of Homicide by Vehicle – First Degree (one count for each of the deceased), Reckless Driving, Racing, Speeding, Unsafe Lane Change, and Seatbelt Required. Esfahani turned himself into the Gwinnett County Jail and was booked in shortly after 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26.
Investigators have determined that Esfahani was driving the Infiniti G35 and was racing the Toyota Tacoma, driven by Nguyen, along with five other occupants. They were speeding in excess of 100 mph on the exit ramp from State Route 316 to Pleasant Hill Road when they came upon a vehicle traveling slower than they were. The Tacoma passed on the left, and the Infiniti passed on the right, likely in the right emergency lane.
The Infiniti quickly came upon a box truck stopped in the emergency lane and swerved to the left to avoid the truck. The Infiniti swerved across the lanes and struck the Tacoma, unintentionally performing a P.I.T. Maneuver, causing the Tacoma to lose traction and began to spin and roll. That is when the Tacoma continued to travel right across the lanes, making an impact with the retaining wall. The excess speed caused it to carry over the wall and fall to the ramp 37 feet below.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Those killed in the crash included Abner Santana, 19, Suwanee.)