Man who drowned after jumping into Lake Hartwell Tuesday has been identified

A man who jumped off the Hartwell state line bridge early Tuesday morning has been identified.

Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis has identified the man as 31-year-old Akeem O. Lukie, of Greenwood, SC.

According to Addis, about 10p Monday night Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies tried to pull Lukie over near mile marker 169 in Georgia for speeding.

Lukie was driving a red 2014 Dodge Charger and was reportedly hitting speeds of 125 mph when deputies spotted him.

A chase ensued but as Lukie was crossing the state line bridge, he hit another vehicle and then the guardrail.

Authorities say Lukie fled on foot and jumped over the guardrail into Lake Hartwell.

Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies tried to rescue him by throwing him a rope line but he went under the bridge and did not resurface.

Addis said Lukie’s body was recovered on the South Carolina side of the lake at about 2a near Fair Play.

According to authorities, the Dodge Charger was owned by Lukie’s wife in Greenwood.

Addis said Lukie was carrying two different forms of ID with his photo but with two different names, which delayed his identification.

He was positively identified Tuesday by distinctive tattoos on his body, according to Addis.