CLARKESVILLE – The pursuit of a vehicle stolen in Clarkesville Thursday night ended with a crash and gunfire in Macon County, N.C., early Friday.
A silver Infinity, reported stolen from Shell Fuel Station on Washington Street in Clarkesville just before 8:15 p.m. Thursday in Clarkesville, was observed traveling on Washington Street after midnight, according to Lt. Matt Wurtz of Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.
When deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle, the driver fled along Washington Street, up Hollywood Highway and Old Historic Highway 441.
The vehicle then turned onto Ga. 15 (U.S. 441) and entered Rabun County, where deputies there attempted to deploy Spike Strips near Walmart in Clayton, causing at least one tire of the fleeing vehicle to deflate, according to Wurtz.
The fleeing driver continued into Macon County, N.C., where the driver lost control and wrecked.
“Habersham County deputies were attempting to make contact with the driver, at which time shots were fired,” Wurtz said.
The driver was struck by gunfire and was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. A passenger in the vehicle was taken into custody by the Macon County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina.
“The shooting is being investigated by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation,” Wurtz said. “The end of the pursuit is being investigated by the North Carolina Highway Patrol. The deputy involved in the shooting is currently on administrative leave with pay pending the investigation.”
No further details have been released yet in this developing story.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/4/522428/habersham-deputy-on-leave-after-officer-involved-shooting-at-end-of-chase-in-north-carolina