HCSO NARRATIVE:
“On Monday…patrol deputies with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) arrested a motorist they observed speeding and driving recklessly on eastbound Athens Highway…near Gillsville Highway.
The HCSO deputy was patrolling the area just after 1 a.m. when the driver, later identified as Franklin Barut Perez Trujillo, 29, of Gainesville, passed the patrol vehicle at an estimated 100 mph. In addition, Perez Trujillo was drifting between the two eastbound lanes on Athens Highway.
The deputy activated the lights and siren on his patrol vehicle and followed the suspect, who continued to drive recklessly at a high rate of speed. Perez Trujillo made a left turn on Barrett Road, traveling in excess of 70 mph on the 40-mph roadway. The suspect also drove from his lane into the opposite lane of travel.
Because of the suspect’s erratic driving, his refusal to pull over and the icy conditions on Barrett Road, the deputy made the decision to use a precision immobilization technique (PIT) to stop the suspect’s vehicle. The PIT was successful and Perez Trujillo was taken into custody without further incident.
Perez Trujillo was transported to the Hall County Jail on charges of DUI, reckless driving, tire conditions (worn tires) and felony fleeing or attempting to elude. Perez Trujillo posted a bond of $12,830 and was released from custody Monday afternoon.”