Georgia Woman Arrested After Driving Drunk the Wrong Way on I-85 With Unbuckled 8-Year-Old in the Car
COWETA COUNTY, GEORGIA — A Georgia woman was arrested after allegedly driving drunk the wrong way on Interstate 85 with her 8-year-old daughter unbuckled in the back seat, according to state troopers.
The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Nala Sarabi Miller from Conyers, was taken into custody early Thursday morning after a dangerous wrong-way chase that ended with a PIT maneuver — a tactical stop used by law enforcement to disable fleeing vehicles.
Wrong-Way Drive and Dramatic Arrest
According to the Georgia State Patrol, troopers received multiple 911 calls about a vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-85 in Coweta County. When officers caught up to the vehicle, they found Miller behind the wheel, allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
Authorities said her 8-year-old daughter was unrestrained in the car during the incident. Despite emergency lights and sirens, Miller reportedly refused to stop, prompting troopers to execute a controlled PIT maneuver to end the pursuit safely.
“The vehicle was moving at a high rate of speed in the wrong direction, putting countless lives at risk,” investigators said in a statement.
After the stop, Miller was taken into custody without further incident. Troopers said she appeared visibly impaired and admitted to consuming alcohol earlier in the evening.
Child Taken to Hospital, Mother Faces Multiple Charges
Miller now faces a series of serious charges, including:
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Endangering a child under 14 while driving intoxicated
- Driving on the wrong side of the highway
- Attempting to elude law enforcement
- Reckless driving
Her daughter was evaluated at a nearby hospital for precautionary reasons and later released to family members. Authorities confirmed that child protective services have been notified to review the case.
Troopers Praise Quick Coordination
State troopers said the quick response and coordination between dispatchers, patrol officers, and other motorists likely prevented a tragedy. Wrong-way collisions are among the most deadly on Georgia highways, often leading to severe or fatal injuries.
“This situation could have ended very differently,” one officer noted. “We’re relieved no one was seriously hurt — especially the child.”
Miller remains in custody at the Coweta County Jail pending bond. Investigators have not disclosed her blood-alcohol content but said she appeared “significantly impaired” during her field sobriety test.
Growing Concern Over DUI and Child Endangerment
Authorities in Georgia continue to emphasize the importance of safe driving practices and the severe consequences of combining DUI offenses with child endangerment. State data shows that nearly one-third of all DUI-related arrests involve passengers under 15 years old — a statistic that law enforcement officials call “deeply alarming.”
Community advocates say this incident serves as a reminder of how quickly impaired driving can put both children and other motorists in danger.
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