A White County man was killed early Wednesday during a police chase that began in White County and ended in a crash in Lumpkin County.
According to White County Sheriff Rick Kelley, the chase began about 4:00 when one of his deputies tried to stop a driver for a traffic violation.
“The stop was initiated in the area of Truelove Road and Putnam Road after the deputy observed the vehicle failing to maintain its lane. The driver refused to stop and fled from the deputy,” Kelley said.
Authorities said the vehicle traveled north on Highway 129, crossing into Lumpkin County. While traveling on Highway 19, the driver, later identified as Christopher Balous Walden, 45, of Cleveland, was unable to safely negotiate a curve, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and strike several trees, Sheriff Kelley said.
“White County deputies immediately approached the vehicle, extracted the driver from the wreckage, and administered lifesaving measures. Despite these immediate efforts, the subject succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Kelley said.