Deputies: High-speed chase during Twiggs County DUI checkpoint ends with armed felon’s arrest
Deputies say the suspect fled a DUI checkpoint at speeds exceeding 100 mph before crashing during the pursuit.
TWIGGS COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A high-speed chase during a DUI checkpoint operation in Twiggs County ended with the arrest of an armed convicted felon Saturday night, according to the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office.
In a Facebook post Monday, deputies said it happened just after 5:30 p.m. during Operation Wrong Exit, a DUI checkpoint on the Highway 27 East on-ramp.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies attempted to stop a black GMC Denali entering the checkpoint. They say the driver, later identified as Royjeri McClendon, failed to stop and accelerated through the checkpoint, nearly striking several deputies.
Deputies began a chase as the vehicle fled at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour, according to the sheriff’s office.
During the chase, deputies say McClendon drove recklessly, nearly hitting other vehicles and trying to ram a patrol car. Deputies also believe a shot was fired toward law enforcement during an attempted PIT maneuver.
The maneuver ended the chase when the Denali crashed.
According to the sheriff’s office, the vehicle began catching fire after the crash while McClendon was still inside. Deputies used fire extinguishers to put out the flames and remove him from the vehicle.
They say McClendon resisted deputies at the scene and again while inside an ambulance. He was eventually taken to a hospital by patrol car for evaluation and treatment.
Deputies say a handgun and several pounds of marijuana were recovered from the vehicle.
According to the sheriff’s office, McClendon is a convicted felon and a validated Blood gang member with multiple outstanding warrants from counties across Georgia and an extradition warrant out of Missouri. Those warrants include charges for armed robbery, hit and run involving serious injury or death and failure to appear.
So far, deputies have not released complete statistics from the weekend operation. Last year’s two-day operation resulted in 62 arrests with 24 of them resulting in felony charges. According to the sheriff’s office, 31 DUI contacts were made, 11 adult seat belt and six child seat belt violations were cited and five wanted fugitives were caught. There were 11 open container violations, 15 suspended drivers, 23 misdemeanor drug citations and one underage alcohol citation.
