CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) - A Georgia State Trooper was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after his vehicle overturned and came to rest upside down in a roadside ditch early Sunday morning.
According to the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), just after 2:40 a.m., troopers with the GSP Nighthawks South DUI Taskforce stopped a tan Ford F150 on White Bluff Rd. at its intersection with Johnston St. in Chatham County for a traffic violation.
After making contact with the driver, GSP says the investigating Trooper detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the driver's breath. At that time, the driver was ordered to step out of the vehicle, and he refused. The driver then drove away and initiated a pursuit.
Due to the Trooper’s suspicion that the driver was intoxicated and posed a danger to the public, GSP says the pursuing Trooper attempted two unsuccessful P.I.T. maneuvers. On the third P.I.T. attempt, the fleeing driver aggressively applied his brakes and swerved at the Trooper’s vehicle, which caused the Trooper to lose control and leave the roadway.
Authorities say the fleeing driver fled on foot and was located by other Troopers in a nearby ditch where he was taken into custody without further incident.
The fleeing driver has been charged with Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, Felony Fleeing and Eluding, DUI, Felony Serious Injury by Vehicle, and other misdemeanor traffic charges.
