Driver’s ‘Celebration’ After Allegedly Killing Teen While Fleeing Police Shocks Onlookers

A 23-year-old woman from Georgia, Faduma Mohamed, was arrested on April 14 after allegedly leading authorities on a high-speed chase that ended with a fatal crash. The incident occurred on Interstate 20 and ended when Mohamed, driving a black Chevrolet Equinox, ran a red light and crashed into a 19-year-old man’s Honda Accord. The crash killed Cooper Schoenke, who was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders. Mohamed has been charged with murder, vehicular homicide, and several other offenses related to the crash.

Chase Begins on Interstate 20

The incident began around 8 p.m. when a Georgia State Patrol trooper noticed Mohamed’s Equinox speeding and making erratic lane changes on Interstate 20 in Atlanta. When the trooper attempted to pull the vehicle over, Mohamed accelerated and fled the scene, leading the officer on a chase. Mohamed continued driving recklessly, merging off the interstate and onto Moreland Avenue in northeast Atlanta’s Little Five Points area. While on Moreland Avenue, she allegedly continued speeding and swerving through lanes, even passing vehicles in the center turn lane.

Fatal Crash at Busy Intersection

At the intersection of Moreland Avenue and McLendon Avenue, Mohamed ran a red light and collided with Schoenke’s Honda Accord, striking the driver’s side of his car. The impact sent Schoenke’s vehicle crashing into the Little Five Corner Tavern, and the car ended up more than a block away from the point of impact. Surveillance footage of the crash was later posted by a local business owner on Instagram, showing the aftermath of the deadly collision. Emergency responders arrived at the scene and declared Schoenke dead shortly after the crash.

Mohamed’s Arrest and Appalling Behavior

Mohamed was arrested at the crash site and transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Shockingly, a witness at the scene, Shamir Yates, reported that Mohamed appeared to be celebrating after the crash. Yates told local news station WSB that Mohamed was seen making hand signs and throwing up middle fingers, possibly reacting as if she had survived a close call rather than showing remorse for the tragedy she had caused. Yates described it as “more of a celebration than a disappointment.”

Charges and Additional Offenses

In addition to the charges of murder and vehicular homicide, Mohamed is facing several other criminal charges, including possession of a Schedule I narcotic, felony fleeing, reckless driving, improper lane change, and failure to obey a traffic control device. The incident has shocked the community, with many questioning Mohamed’s behavior following the crash. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the high-speed chase and fatal crash, which has left the family and friends of Schoenke devastated. This tragic event underscores the dangers of reckless driving and high-speed pursuits, as well as the potential consequences of fleeing from law enforcement.