A 26-year-old man is dead after what began as a routine traffic collision on Interstate 285 in DeKalb County turned into a fatal shooting, according to the DeKalb County Police Department.
Officers responded to a crash near the Buford Highway exit involving Tyler Sieber, 26, and another driver. According to police, the second vehicle struck Sieber’s car while he was traveling on the interstate. Sieber reportedly followed the driver before their vehicles collided again, this time with Sieber rear-ending the other car.
Both men stepped out of their vehicles following the second collision, police said. That’s when investigators say the other driver pulled out a firearm, shot Sieber, and fled the scene in his vehicle. Nearly 24 hours after the shooting, the suspect had not been located and remains at large.
The sudden violence has left even bystanders shaken. A couple passing through the Atlanta area on a road trip back to Buffalo, New York, said they were stopped nearby when they learned what had happened just minutes earlier.
“There’s no reason a small fender bender should turn into something violent like that,” one of them said, reflecting on how quickly the situation escalated from a routine crash to a homicide.
His wife added that the incident is a reminder to stay calm during roadside conflicts, noting that people never know what emotional state a stranger might be in during a stressful moment like a crash.
DeKalb County Police say the investigation is active and ongoing. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the shooting or the suspect’s whereabouts to come forward through official department channels.
Meanwhile, Sieber’s family is now facing the added burden of funeral costs following his sudden death. Loved ones have described the loss as devastating and are asking the community for support as they process the tragedy in the days ahead.