Person dead, driver injured after multi-county chase

Officials say additional information will be released as it becomes available.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A person is dead and another injured after a high-speed pursuit that spanned multiple counties early Friday morning, according to the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say the incident began around 2 a.m. when a patrol deputy spotted a vehicle parked at a closed gas station off Sgoda Road in Twiggs County. After running the vehicle’s tag through dispatch, the deputy learned the vehicle did not have valid insurance and attempted a traffic stop on the eastbound ramp to Interstate 16 near the 12-mile marker.

Authorities say the driver initially stopped but then fled at a high rate of speed. Additional deputies and members of the sheriff’s Criminal Suppression Unit joined the pursuit as it moved onto Interstate 16, where speeds reached about 130 miles per hour.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office later joined the pursuit and attempted to deploy spike strips when the vehicle entered Laurens County. Officials say the suspect avoided the spikes and continued fleeing. Deputies then attempted a PIT maneuver to end the chase, but investigators say the suspect fired multiple rounds at deputies’ vehicles before regaining control and continuing eastbound.

The pursuit continued into Treutlen County, where deputies say the driver lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle overturned, ending the chase.

According to the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office, the driver was taken into custody and transported for medical treatment with life-threatening injuries. The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities say the incident remains under investigation. The sheriff’s office thanked assisting agencies, including the Treutlen County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol, for their support during the pursuit.

Officials say additional information will be released as it becomes available.