A Jefferson man was arrested Wednesday on a series of charges after he reportedly led police on a chase on Interstate 985 in Hall County in a stolen vehicle.
According to Oakwood Police Chief Tim Hatch, the incident started in Oakwood city limits at about 2:00 p.m.
Police were informed that a stolen Ford Explorer from Gwinnett County was spotted in the parking lot of the Walmart on Mundy Mill Road. When units responded to the car, the driver drove away. Oakwood Police followed the vehicle, and a pursuit was initiated.
The suspect, Michael Patrick Walker, 43, rammed one Oakwood Police vehicle and struck four other civilian vehicles at the start of the pursuit. No one was injured during those collisions.
Walker fled south on I-985 from Mundy Mill Road, reaching speeds of about 84 miles per hour.
Oakwood Police were not able to stop the vehicle using a PIT maneuver, however, Flowery Branch Police were able to get in front of the vehicle and deploy spike strips. Walker hit the spike strips and no other vehicles were damaged.
Walker continued to drive southbound on the interstate until his tires began to shred. This caused the vehicle to slow down, allowing police to successfully perform a PIT maneuver around mile marker 9. Walker spun around and went off the right shoulder of the road. He attempted to continue fleeing but was unable to drive on the soil.
Walker continued with his attempt to flee and resist arrest and was eventually tased during the arrest process.
He was charged with theft by receiving, obstruction, fleeing and eluding and open container violation. Hatch said the man has pending charges related to hitting the four civilian vehicles.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2023/8/1197436/jefferson-man-arrested-after-police-chase-on-i-985-in-stolen-vehicle