LAVONIA, Ga. — A North Carolina man was charged with DUI and felony fleeing after authorities say he nearly struck an officer on Interstate 85. The close encounter led to a police pursuit that ended when the suspect’s truck overturned following a PIT maneuver.
Authorities identified the driver as 24-year-old Hector Uriel Aviles Ferrer of Robbins, North Carolina. No injuries were reported in the incident on Friday, Oct. 2.
Near miss leads to pursuit and rollover
According to the Georgia State Patrol, a trooper from Post 52 in Hartwell was conducting a traffic stop on a sedan near the Lavonia exit on I-85 southbound. A Lavonia police officer was assisting when they spotted a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado approaching in the emergency lane.
According to the State Patrol, the truck nearly struck an officer. The Lavonia officer ordered the driver to stop, but he refused, reentered the travel lanes, and continued southbound. The trooper released the sedan’s driver and attempted to stop the Silverado. Ferrer failed to stop, prompting a pursuit, the State Patrol said.
During the pursuit, the Silverado used the emergency lane to pass a tractor-trailer. At mile marker 165, near the Carnesville exit, the trooper performed a PIT maneuver. The truck rotated clockwise, left the roadway on the right, struck an embankment, and overturned onto its roof, according to the State Patrol.
Driver resists arrest, faces multiple charges
Authorities say Ferrer actively resisted officers as they attempted to arrest him. Lavonia police said an officer deployed pepper spray and a Taser. The trooper, a Franklin County sheriff’s deputy and a Lavonia officer took Ferrer into custody after a brief struggle.
The State Patrol charged Ferrer with felony fleeing, DUI, and other traffic-related offenses.
Lavonia police are also seeking warrants for aggravated assault on a peace officer, felony fleeing and attempting to elude, obstruction of law enforcement, and failure to obey a traffic control officer.
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