UPDATE: Man authorities say crashed car into Hall jail now charged with DUI

A Lula man now faces a list of traffic charges, including DUI, after authorities said he intentionally crashed a car into the Hall County Jail Thursday morning.

 

Jason Wynn Turner is also charged with driving without a seatbelt, failure to maintain lane, no proof of insurance and operating without due care, according to Hall County Jail's online inmate population list.  Other traffic counts include passing a solid yellow line, running a red light, reckless driving and driving too fast for conditions.

 

Commenting Thursday, Hall County Sheriff's Deputy Stephen Wilbanks said Turner drove the car into an exterior wall of the building on Barber Road shortly before 8:00 a.m.

 

"We understand that he did make statements to the effect that he intentionally drove the vehicle into the jail, but at this time we don't know his reasons why," Wilbanks said.

 

Turner was treated for injuries to his lower extremities at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Wilbanks described them as non life-threatening. Turner was taken by ambulance to the hospital following the incident and has since been released.

 

On Thursday authorities said he faced one felony count each of interference with government property and criminal damage in the first degree. Turner also faces a misdemeanor count each of reckless conduct and wearing a mask to conceal identity.

 

"There were no firearms. He didn't exit the vehicle and try to harm anybody or make any threats or anything of that nature," Wilbanks said.

 

Sheriff's office maintenance officials were assessing the damage and waiting on a professional damage estimate.

 

"Just upon the initial assessment, they're (maintenance officials) quite certain the damage is going to run into several thousand dollars," Wilbanks added.

 

Turner was the only person injured in the incident.

 

The Georgia State Patrol and sheriff's office both investigated the crash.