Bibb County deputy injured after vehicle chase, crash

A Bibb County Sheriff's Office K-9 Interdiction Unit deputy was injured during a high-speed pursuit late Thursday.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Bibb County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Interdiction Unit deputy was injured during a high-speed pursuit late Thursday.

Deputies say it all started on Hillcrest Avenue when a S.R.T. Unit deputy initiated a traffic stop on a white Cadillac SRX.

The driver, identified as Willie Dante Smith, sped into oncoming traffic and ultimately collided with a deputy’s patrol car in an attempt to escape, according to deputies. The pursuit came to an end on Rocky Creek Road when Smith lost control of the vehicle. Both Smith and a passenger, William Derrick Earven, were eventually removed from the vehicle and taken into custody.

Smith faces multiple traffic charges and was also wanted an aggravated assault charge in Illinois.

Earven is charged with willful obstruction of law enforcement officers by use of threats or violence (felony) and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer (felony), among other charges.

The injured deputy involved in the chase was treated at a local hospital and has since been released, and the accompanying K-9 officer was unharmed.