A 19-year-old woman, Naveah McGowan, tragically lost her life early Sunday morning, Jan. 18, 2026, after the vehicle she was riding in was involved in a high-speed police chase that ended in a fatal crash.
According to family members, McGowan had initially declined an invitation to go out on Saturday night but agreed after a friend asked her to join.
“She thought she was just going out to hang out with friends,” said Tajjone McElya, Naveah’s sister. McGowan reportedly did not know the driver, 19-year-old Quintavias Martin.
The Chase and Crash
The incident unfolded around 2:30 a.m. when Snellville Police attempted to pull over Martin for a routine traffic stop. Instead of stopping, Martin led officers on a high-speed pursuit along a highway in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Passengers in the car reportedly pleaded with Martin to stop. “Everybody in the car was asking, ‘Please just stop the car,’” McElya said. Despite these pleas, Martin lost control of the vehicle after striking a median. The car subsequently collided with a mailbox and a utility pole before flipping several times.
McGowan was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other passengers survived but sustained serious injuries.
Legal Charges and Potential Sentencing
Martin was arrested shortly after the crash and is currently held at Gwinnett County Jail without bond. He faces multiple felony charges, including:
- Possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a crime
- Possession of a sawed-off shotgun
- Fleeing or attempting to elude police
Under Georgia law, these charges carry significant penalties. Possession of a sawed-off shotgun or a weapon during a crime can each result in up to five years in prison, while fleeing from police and causing a crash carries a sentence of one to ten years. If convicted on all counts, Martin could face up to 20 years in prison.
Family Responds
McGowan’s family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral and memorial expenses, describing her as “kind, strong, and full of love” and “a bright light in the lives of everyone who knew her.” As of Thursday night, the campaign had raised $1,075 of its $5,500 goal.
McElya urged the public to exercise caution when getting into vehicles with acquaintances or strangers. “Please, please watch who you get in the vehicle with,” she said.
