Police identify victims of deadly wrong-way Athens Perimeter collision

The following was released by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department

On December 21, 2025, at approximately 12:08 AM, ACCPD responded to reports of a wrong-

way driver on the GA 10 Inner Loop at Chase Street. Moments later, a report of a crash was

received on the Inner Loop at Oglethorpe Ave.

The initial investigation determined that the driver of a 2021 Kia Seltos, Desiree Browning, a 26-

year-old female of Lawrenceville, GA, was traveling the wrong way on Inner Loop 10 while a

2021 Mercedes-Benz and a 2020 Ford Expedition were traveling on the Inner Loop 10. The Kia

made contact with the Mercedes-Benz, then made contact with the Ford Expedition. The Kia

continued the wrong way on the loop, striking a 2017 Toyota Camry head-on. Upon impact, the

Kia came to a rest on the cable barriers, where it became engulfed in flames.

The driver of the Toyota, Soonhoon Choi, a 25-year-old male of Athens, GA, suffered fatal

injuries and succumbed to his injuries on scene, while the passenger of the Toyota is being

treated at a local hospital and is in critical condition. Desiree Browning, the driver of the Kia,

also suffered fatal injuries and succumbed to her injuries on scene, while the passenger of the

Kia is being treated at a local hospital and is in critical condition. The occupants in the

Mercedes-Benz and Ford Expedition suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

This is the eighth fatality crash, resulting in ten deaths in Athens-Clarke County in 2025.

This incident is an active investigation. Anyone with information regarding this case is

encouraged to contact Senior Police Officer Santos at Joshua.Santos@accgov.com or 762-400-

7258.

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Katie Jenkins