Man wanted in Toccoa ATV Crash With SC Deputies Arrested After Flight, Scuffle with Habersham Deputies

A man wanted in Stephens County on charges relating to a UTV crash with a Stephens County Deputy Cruiser on July 26 was arrested following a brief chase and a struggle with Deputies in Habersham County Tuesday night.

Gary James Gordon Parris, 38, of Alto, was taken into custody Tuesday Night, March 26, after he wrecked the red Pontiac G8 he was driving as he turned onto Hollywood Hills Road from Ga. 15 (Expressway 441) then fled on foot and struggled with deputies.

A Habersham County Uniform Patrol deputy observed the red Pontiac driving too fast for conditions and attempted to check for a valid license plate since it was missing the front bumper and appeared to be a project car.

As the deputy attempted to get a closer look at the car, it continued to move away from him at a high rate of speed.

Between Tom Arrendale Interchange and Antioch Church Road, the deputy activated his blue lights to attempt a traffic stop but the Pontiac remained a distance in front of him. The driver tried to turn onto Antioch Church Road and lost control when he saw another deputy there.

After regaining control, the driver fled northbound on Ga. 15 (Expressway 441) and abruptly turned right onto Hollywood Hills Road, had no traction, and lost control on the wet pavement, traveling onto the shoulder of the road and striking a rock column.

The deputy attempted to position his patrol SUV behind the car to keep it from fleeing again but because of the wet surface it came to rest at the driver’s side of the car with the Explorer’s PIT bumper against the car.

The car’s driver, later identified as Parris, climbed over the red bumper in his car’s passenger seat and fled out the passenger door of the car, running through the gate of a private home. Deputies said Parris, who had a holster on and continued to reach for it, fought with them before they deployed a taser to bring him under control.

Parris was arrested after the struggle and faces charges of felony fleeing or attempting to elude, obstruction of an officer, driving under the influence, reckless driving, driving while license suspended or revoked, possession of methamphetamine, and failure to maintain lane.

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the wreck. The sheriff’s office patrol vehicle was not damaged, and the deputies involved in the chase and struggle were not hurt. Parris was evaluated on the scene by Habersham County Emergency Services Med 9 then turned over to deputies. Deputies learned after taking Parris into custody that he faces numerous outstanding charges in Stephens County, as well as warrants in White County and Habersham County. He was taken to the Habersham County Detention Center in Clarkesville for booking on the Habersham County charges.

Regarding Paris’ Stephens County charges, on July 26, Deputies with Stephens County Sheriff’s Office were conducting a concentrated patrol when a deputy with the STING Unit observed an individual without a helmet on, riding a multi-colored ATV on Broad Street near Diagonal Street.

According to a press release issued by the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, July 28, once the driver of the ATV saw the deputy, he made an abrupt turn, attempting to avoid the deputy. The Traffic Unit initiated his blue lights and siren, but the driver of the ATV refused to stop and began to flee from the deputy.

A short distance later, the ATV collided with a SCSO K-9 cruiser that was stopped in the turning lane with blue lights flashing at the intersection of Broad and Spring Street. After the ATV made contact with the stopped K-9 Unit, the ATV overturned, ejecting the driver.   

The driver, later identified as Garry Parris, 38, was transported by Stephens County EMS to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for injuries sustained during the accident.

The SCSO requested the assistance of the Georgia State Patrol to investigate the crash. 

According to the press release, Parris was charged with felony fleeing, driving on a suspended license, operating an ATV on the roadway, driving too fast for conditions, two charges of failure to obey traffic control devices, failure to maintain lane, and obstructing law enforcement.

Parris was released from Northeast Georgia Medical Center after only sustaining minor injuries. 

According to the July 28 press release, “Parris has been instructed to turn himself in, but at this time has failed to do so.”

Total bond on the charges for the Habersham County chase on Tuesday was set at $17,645 and Parris remains in custody in the Habersham County Detention Center.