CLARKESVILLE — The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office says a Ford Mustang led deputies on a chase about 4:30 a.m. Sunday, before crashing near downtown Demorest.
A Habersham County deputy sheriff observed the car traveling southbound on Ga. 15/ U.S. 441, in the area of Talmadge Drive in Hollywood, speeding and failing to maintain its lane, according to Lt. Matt Wurtz of the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.
When the deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the car, the vehicle sped away, continuing southbound through Tom Arrendale Interchange onto Ga. 365.
“While traveling southbound through the area of Highway 365 and Demorest-Mt. Airy Highway, Habersham County deputies, with the assistance of officers from Demorest Police Department, were able to deploy spike strips on the suspect vehicle,” Wurtz said. “The vehicle did strike the spike strips, causing tires on the vehicle to deflate.”
The Mustang continued southbound on Ga. 365 and exited onto Ga. 385 / Business 441.
“While exiting on the ramp, at least one passenger exited the vehicle,” Wurtz said. “The driver/ passenger also were observed throwing items out of the vehicle window while on the Hwy. 385 ramp.”
The vehicle turned onto Ga. 385 and into Demorest. As the vehicle rounded the curve headed into downtown Demorest, the driver lost control and the car struck a telephone pole in the area of Central Avenue and Florida Street, according to Wurtz.
The driver and passenger then fled on foot. All four occupants of the vehicle were located and arrested.
The Georgia State Patrol investigated the wreck.
While conducting the investigation on the vehicle pursuit, deputies retrieved a handgun, less than one ounce of marijuana, and synthetic marijuana.
The driver was identified as Demon Rayshund Williams, 24, of Atlanta. The passengers were identified as Omar Demonte Landry, 21, of Atlanta; Thaddeus James Landry, 23, of Atlanta; and Roger Alan Turner, 23, of Atlanta.
Williams is charged by the sheriff’s office with driving while license suspended, reckless driving, speeding, felony fleeing and attempting to elude, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
As a result of the wreck investigation, troopers also charged Williams with no proof of insurance, driving on the wrong side of the roadway, operating an unsafe vehicle, failure to maintain lane, too fast for conditions, and driving while license suspended, according to Wurtz.
Omar Landry is charged with possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and possession of synthetic marijuana.
Thaddeus Landry is charged with obstruction of an officer, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, and possession of synthetic marijuana.
Turner is charged with possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, possession of synthetic marijuana, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
All four suspects were booked in at the Habersham County Detention Center, and are awaiting bond to be set by a judge, according to Wurtz.
There were no injuries during the wreck or the vehicle pursuit, Wurtz said.
