Franklin Co. Sheriff Suffers Minor Injuries in I-85 Chase

By Charles Robertson, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

A police chase in Franklin County ends in a wreck on Interstate 85 and causes minor injuries for Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas.

It happened Wednesday night after a man listed as having an Alaska address fled from Franklin County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Interstate 85.

Authorities said the chase started when deputies were tipped off that the driver of the Corvette appeared to be intoxicated by a convenience store clerk.

According to Sheriff Thomas, the man was driving a 2016 Corvette and at times reached speeds of over 145 miles an hour.

Thomas reportedly suffered minor injuries to his knee while dodging the Corvette after the driver attempted to strike the sheriff with his vehicle.

He was transported to St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia, where he was released the same night.
Meanwhile, authorities said the driver of the Corvette then struck an 18-wheeled tractor trailer, flipping the car and ejecting the driver.

According to authorities, the driver of the Corvette was airlifted to a hospital in Gainesville.
The incident remains under investigation by Georgia State Patrol and the GBI with multiple charges pending.