FC Joseph Stephens #667 SGT Christopher Harris #753

Post Commander
Georgia State
Patrol Assistant Post Commander
1212 North Main Street CPL Andy Gideon #675
LaFayette, Georgia 30728 Assistant Post Commander
Phone: (706) 638-5501
Fax: (706) 638-5576

News Release

August 7th, 2018

On August 7, 2018, at approximately 2 pm, the DeKalb Alabama Sheriff’s Department was
in pursuit of a 1997 Ford pickup, white in color, northbound on US Highway 11. The pursuit
entered Dade County, Georgia and continued northbound on US 11. A Dade County Georgia
Sheriff’s unit engaged the pursuit and became the primary unit. The DeKalb County
Sheriff’s department advised the Dade County Sheriff’s Department the subject in the
Ford truck was wanted for burglary. As the Ford truck continued northbound, at a high
rate of speed. A second Dade County Sheriff’s Deputy set up to deploy spike strips north
of the pursuit.  As the fleeing vehicle approached the second deputy’s position, the driver
of the Ford pickup struck the deputy as he attempted to deploy the spike strips. The
deputy received traumatic injuries from the impact. After striking the deputy, the Ford
pickup continued north on US 11 at a high rate of speed. The pursuit entered the city
limits of Trenton and the fleeing Ford pickup attempted to turn right as in entered the
downtown square. As the Ford pickup completed its turn, the Dade County Sheriff’s
Deputy directly behind the Ford pickup was able to push the pickup into a utility pole
stopping the pursuit. A white female, the only occupant of the pickup, was taken from the
vehicle and arrested. The suspect was transported to CHI Memorial in Fort Oglethorpe,
Georgia for injuries sustained from her vehicle striking the utility pole.  The Dade County
Deputy that was struck by the Ford pickup was transported to Erlanger Medical Center in
Chattanooga, Tennessee by Life Force air ambulance. The deputy is in critical condition
from his injuries. The Georgia State Patrol Post 41, GSP SCRT, and the Georgia Bureau of
Investigation are investigating the events surrounding the pursuit. The driver of the Ford
pickup will be released tonight and transported to jail. The driver faces multiple felony
charges as a result of incident. The name of the deputy and the suspect have not been
released by GSP.