More Details on Fatal Crash on 52 East

With a “be on the lookout” reported, Sgt. Branyon of the East Ellijay Police Department performed a traffic stop Friday night of a large white truck on the access ramp of 515 and 52 East.

According to Chief of Police Larry Callahan, the female driver reportedly told the Sergeant she had no license with her, but gave the officer her name and date-of-birth. Chief Callahan now believes these were false.

As the Sergeant returned to his vehicle to run her information, the driver fled the scene. Chief Callahan states the Sergeant attempted to catch up to the vehicle and re-initiate the traffic stop, but terminated the chase due to dangers caused by the driver.

According to a State Patrol Officer at the scene of the accident, it was not long before the Georgia State Patrol encountered the the vehicle further down 52 and proceeded to re-initiate the traffic stop. At this point, the driver sped up again and, just past the Dawson County line, lost control in a curve, struck the trees, and fell down a steep embankment.

The officer in pursuit attempted to get down to the vehicle which had a fire in the engine compartment. However, the driver was dead when the officer got to her.

Currently, the identity of the driver has not been released, but the truck was reportedly stolen out of Louisiana.