CLARKESVILLE – A man wanted by Hall County authorities led deputies on a vehicle chase through Habersham and Hall counties Thursday.
At 9:04 a.m. Thursday, the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a bronze Buick LeSabre on Cannon Bridge Road at Old Athens Highway in Cornelia.
“The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Tony Hatcher, 26, of Gainesville refused to stop and started a pursuit,” said Sheriff’s Lt. Matt Wurtz.
The pursuit went south on Old Athens Highway to Level Grove Road and crossed over Duncan Bridge Road, continuing south on Mud Creek Road into Hall County, turning onto Tribble Gap Road, according to Wurtz.
“They then crossed over Highway 365 and continued on Tribble Gap Road,” Wurtz said. “The pursuit then turned onto an unmarked dirt road that came out on Mud Creek Road and turned back toward 365. They then crossed back over Highway 365 and continued on Mud Creek Road.”
After entering Habersham County again, the pursuit turned onto Duncan Bridge Road toward White County.
Habersham County deputies were able to perform the Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver at the intersection of Duncan Bridge Road and Pea Ridge Road, bringing the fleeing vehicle to a safe stop.
Hatcher, who was unlicensed and facing warrants from Hall County, was arrested after a short foot chase.
Hatcher now is facing several traffic and felony charges in Habersham County, including six counts of aggravated assault, as well as charges of fleeing and attempting to elude, driving while unlicensed, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, stop sign violations, and two counts of reckless conduct.
The pursuit ended at 9:21 a.m. and traveled 22 miles in Habersham and Hall counties, according to Wurtz.
Hatcher was taken to the Habersham County Detention Center for booking.
Two other occupants of Hatcher’s vehicle were released on scene.
A Habersham County Sheriff’s Office patrol car sustained minor damage during the pursuit.
“As a result of the PIT maneuver, two collisions occurred involving the sheriff’s deputies’ vehicles and the subject’s vehicle,” said Sgt. Casey Coffee of Georgia State Patrol Post 7 in Toccoa. “
