Car chase ends with rollover accident
Published 12:42 pm Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Georgia State Patrol (GSP) troopers were forced to use a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver to stop a car fleeing from a road safety check on Bethel Road on Wednesday, causing the vehicle to overturn several times.
Shortly before noon, GSP troopers were conducting the safety check on Bethel Road, west of U.S. 27 North. The driver, Christopher Mario Close, pulled up to the road check and stopped. Trooper Walt Landrum had opened the vehicle’s driver’s side door when the Close suddenly sped away, partially driving over Landrum’s foot, according to Landrum.
Troopers gave pursuit, following Close as he sped through the stop signs at the intersections of U.S. 27 North and Bethel Road and Bethel Road and Zorn Road, according to Landrum.
Trooper Brian Palmer performed the PIT maneuver on the vehicle approximately one mile past the intersection of Bethel Road and Zorn road, causing the car to go off the east shoulder of the road and overturn several times.
Close was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Landrum said Close had a cut on his arm, possibly from shattered glass from the vehicle.
Close told troopers he ran because he had a suspended license, according to Landrum.
Decatur County Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Logue walked a drug detection K-9 around the vehicle, but the dog did not detect drugs in the vehicle.
Landrum said charges on Close would include fleeing and attempting to elude, reckless driving and assault.