A Gillsville man escaped serious injury earlier this week when his car was struck by another whose driver was trying to get away from authorities in Franklin County. However, the fleeing driver was seriously injured when his vehicle wrecked.
STATE PATROL NARRATIVE (EDITED FOR CLARITY AND BREVITY):
“Wednesday afternoon about 1:45, a Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a black 2022 Kia K5 for a speeding violation (85 mph in a 70 mph zone) on Interstate 85 Southbound near mile marker 172 in Franklin County. The driver of the Kia, later identified as Daquieze Davonte Lumar Marshall, 33, of Charlotte, N.C., initiated a pursuit, while operating the Kia in a reckless and aggressive manner throughout the duration of the chase.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the Georgia State Patrol, and a Trooper became primary on Interstate 85 Southbound near mile marker 154 in Banks County.
The suspect passed multiple vehicles in the grass median through moderate traffic, and the Banks County Sheriff’s Office became primary on Interstate 85 near mile marker 149. The suspect turned right onto the grass shoulder of Interstate 85 near mile marker 147 and began traveling the wrong way up the Interstate 85 Southbound Exit 147 on ramp. The Kia turned left and began traveling westbound on GA 98.
While attempting to improperly pass a red 2015 Toyota RAV4 driven by Fred Grindle, 70, of Gillsville, the front passenger’s side of the Kia struck the rear driver’s side of the Toyota in westbound lane of GA 98. After impact, the Kia traveled off the south shoulder of GA 98 and struck a stop sign with its front. The Kia then struck a driveway culvert and became airborne for approximately 129 feet. After landing, the Kia overturned multiple times and came to an uncontrolled final rest on its top in a group of small trees. The Toyota traveled off the north shoulder, began to rotate counterclockwise, and came to an uncontrolled final rest, facing east, in westbound lane of GA 98.
Marshall suffered serious injuries, which required life saving measures from Deputies and Troopers, and was subsequently transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville. Grindle suffered minor injuries, and no medical treatment was required.”