A snowy day in Morrow, Georgia, turned chaotic on Friday night when a car meetup took a dangerous turn. A 22-year-old driver, Jacob Anselmi, from Pennsylvania, found himself in hot water after crashing his car into a crowd of spectators during a snow-day drifting event.
The crash left three people injured, with one of them suffering serious injuries. Emergency crews rushed one of the victims to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment.
The incident happened behind the Thunder Tower West Harley-Davidson store, where a crowd of about 50 to 100 people had gathered to watch cars perform stunts on the snow and ice. What was supposed to be a thrilling show turned into a terrifying scene when a Mustang lost control and plowed into the bystanders.
Jacob Anselmi was arrested later that night, thanks in part to video footage of the crash posted online. Investigators quickly identified him and took him into custody. He’s now facing a hefty list of charges—11 in total—including street racing, hit-and-run with serious injuries, driving on a suspended license, and giving false statements to the police. He’s currently in the Clayton County Jail, and it’s unclear if he’ll be granted bond.
Morrow Police Major Mark Wooddall had some strong words about the dangers of these events. He pointed out that amateur drivers often lack the skills to handle such high-stakes stunts safely. “This is a life safety issue,” he said. “People are young and immature, and they don’t have the knowledge and skills that experienced racers have.”
As for Anselmi, Major Wooddall assured the public that the case is being handled seriously. “He’s being dealt with swiftly and surely by the Clayton County Judicial Circuit and Morrow Police Department,” he added.
In the wake of the crash, Morrow city officials are looking for ways to prevent similar incidents in the future. They’re considering creating a designated space for car meetups to ensure these gatherings can happen in a controlled and safer environment.
While the idea of snow-day drifting may sound exciting, Friday’s crash is a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong. For now, the community is left hoping for a speedy recovery for those injured and a solution to make these events safer for everyone.
