High-Speed Chase Leads to Arrest of Atlanta Man in Franklin County
A high-speed pursuit along I-85 resulted in the arrest of a man from Austell, Atlanta over the weekend. The chase, which hit speeds of over 110 miles per hour, ended with a 44-year-old Omar Smith in custody of the Franklin County authorities. The incident happened on Saturday just after 1 PM.
Minor Traffic Violations Escalate to Chase
The chase was initiated when Franklin County Deputies attempted to stop a black 2013 Infiniti JX35 due to minor traffic violations. However, the driver, later identified as Smith, failed to pull over and instead sped up heading North on the Interstate. Deputies observed Smith tossing objects out of his vehicle as the chase continued.
State Border Crossing, Crash, and Pursuit on Foot
The pursuit took a dramatic turn when Smith crossed state lines into South Carolina before turning around and heading back into Georgia. Close to Exit 177 Southbound, Smith’s vehicle veered off the Interstate shoulder, smashing through a fence and ultimately coming to a halt on Harbor Light Marina Road. Smith then exited his vehicle and attempted to evade law enforcement on foot.
Joint Efforts Lead to Apprehension
The response was a multi-department effort. Deputies from the Hart County Sheriff’s Office established a perimeter at the scene and were aided by the Georgia State Patrol and Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Additionally, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office responded with their drone and K-9 units providing further assistance in the chase.
As Oconee County units arrived, a Hart County Deputy spotted Smith attempting to escape on the back side of the established perimeter. Subsequent to verbal commands, Smith was apprehended without any incidents and transported to the Franklin County Detention Center.
Multiple Charges Filed
Smith is now facing a multitude of charges including two counts each of felony fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (a felony), obstruction, and storing pills outside their original container. Additionally, he was cited for multiple driving violations including speeding, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving, knowingly driving a vehicle on suspended, canceled or revoked registration, failure to maintain insurance and littering from a vehicle to name a few.
As of Monday, Smith remained in the Franklin County Detention Center awaiting trial.
