South Fulton police officer killed in head-on crash, other driver identified
South Fulton reacts to lieutenant’s death
For the first time, the city of South Fulton is mourning an officer killed in the line of duty. Lt. Helio Garcia died after a car slammed head-on into his patrol cruiser late. The mayor pro tem spoke out about the city’s loss.
SOUTH FULTON, Ga. - The South Fulton Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its officers who was killed in a late-night car accident.
Police say the deadly head-on collision happened around midnight along Flat Shoals Road and Connell Road.
Lt. Helio Garcia killed in the line of duty
What we know:
According to the authorities, Lt. Helio Garcia was on duty and driving his patrol vehicle when a driver veered into his lane.
Both Garcia and the other driver were rushed to a local hospital. Law enforcement sources tell FOX 5 that Garcia's fellow officers took him to the hospital and carried him into the emergency room. Tragically, Garcia did not survive his injuries.
Early this morning, FOX 5 cameras captured a procession leaving Grady Memorial Hospital.
Sources told FOX 5 the other driver was a young female. She was identified early Wednesday afternoon as 31-year-old Santoria McLean of Atlanta.
She is currently in critical condition with serious leg injuries at Grady Memorial Hospital.
What we don't know:
It was not immediately clear why McLean veered into oncoming traffic, causing the crash.
Troopers are looking into whether she was under the influence at the time of the crash. Charges are pending, according to the Georgia State Patrol.
South Fulton Police in mourning
What they're saying:
South Fulton Police Chief Keith Meadows said that Garcia was married and had two daughters and one son.
He called Garcia's death heartbreaking. "Our hearts are shattered. Lieutenant Garcia was more than a colleague—he was family. He served this department and this city with honor and distinction, and we will carry his memory with us in every shift, every call, and every act of service," Meadows said. "We ask for continued prayers and privacy for his loved ones and for our officers during this incredibly difficult time."
He said that Garcia had been with the police department since nearly the start of its inception more than six years ago and had previously worked at the College Park Police Department.
The loss has shaken the city and those closest to Garcia, including South Fulton Mayor Pro Tem Linda Pritchett, who described the lieutenant as both a colleague and a personal friend.
"It hurts a lot—because he was just such a nice person," Pritchett said. "Devastated and I’m still in shock."
"When I saw his picture, I just burst out crying like this can’t be real," she added. "Everyone is putting on a brave face, but we’re really hurting behind this."
Flags are flying at half-staff in Garcia's honor across South Fulton. "My heart really goes out to the officer’s family," said one community member.
Garcia's wife released a statement expressing her heartbreak and asking for prayers as the family grieves for their loss.
Who was Lt. Helio Garcia
Dig deeper:
Garcia, a respected Marine Corps veteran and longtime member of the police department, is the first officer in the city’s history to die in the line of duty.
South Fulton police officer killed in crash
South Fulton police say Lt. Helio Garcia died when another car crossed the center line and hit his squad car.
Garcia had recently been promoted to lieutenant and was based at the Roosevelt Highway precinct. He had served with the South Fulton Police Department nearly since its inception six years ago. "We were very proud of him," Pritchett said. "He was very excited about his promotion."
Police Chief Keith Meadows praised Garcia’s contributions to building the department from the ground up. "He’s done a lot of heavy lifting in terms of helping us to build this organization, and he’s going to be deeply missed," Meadows said.
Garcia was known for his humility, dedication, and calm demeanor.
"He was someone who everyone got along with," Pritchett said. "He took the job seriously and he never complained about it. Somebody who’s well regarded like that is somebody who’s very special—and he was very special to our department."
Garcia leaves behind his wife and three children—Angelina Rosa Pittman, Nicolas Anthony Garcia, and Isabella Echeverri—as well as a son-in-law, Jacob Pittman. The couple also mourned the loss of their late son, Giovanni Armando Garcia.
In a statement, Garcia’s wife paid tribute to his memory:
"Helio was not only my husband—he was the love of my life and the steady heart of our family. He was a devoted father who loved his children… with all of his heart. He also shared a special bond with our son-in-law Jacob Pittman."
Flags are flying at half-staff across the city in Garcia’s honor as the community comes to terms with a loss described as both personal and profound.
Flat Shoals Road safety concerns
What's next:
The crash has reignited concerns about safety on Flat Shoals Road, where longtime resident Raymond Simmons says he has witnessed dozens of accidents over the years — some of them fatal — near his home.
"I had them hit my house back in 2020 during the pandemic," Simmons said. "And then I've had a scene where a guy was killed right there where the police officer was killed."
Simmons says he hopes Garcia’s death prompts the city to take action, including adding flashing lights or speed bumps to slow traffic.
"This street is dangerous. It's really dangerous," he said.
The Source: Initial information for this story came from releases and interviews with South Fulton Police officials. The name of the other driver was supplied by the Georgia State Patrol. This article has been updated since it was originally published to provide new developments.