Two arrested after crash of mobile meth lab

WINDER - An attempted traffic stop in Barrow County early Friday morning ended with the wreck of the suspect vehicle and the discovery of a mobile meth lab.

Sheriff's deputies attempted to stop the car for speeding on Highway 211 when it sped away and crashed on Mulberry Road.

Barrow County Sheriff's Investigator Matt Guthas said when deputies searched the vehicle after the crash, an "active" meth lab was found in the trunk of the car.

"What alerted the officers to something being in the trunk was the actual chemical smell," said Guthas. "And, in the trunk, the offenders had combined the necessary ingredients to make methamphetamine."

In addition to drugs and drug paraphernalia, a pistol and two long rifles were located inside the vehicle.

The driver and a passenger, both from LaFollete, Tennessee, suffered non-life threatening injuries in the crash. The driver was identified as Kenneth Pierce, 42. He is charged with driving under the influence of drugs, the possession and manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, fleeing and attempting to elude, driving while license suspended, speeding, reckless driving and failure to maintain lane. The passenger, Tammy Partin, 33, is charged with possession of marijuana and possession and manufacture of methamphetamine. Possible weapons charges may be forthcoming.