Martin man arrested by the TPD following traffic stop, high-speed chase

The Toccoa Police Department recently arrested a Martin man when a traffic stop led to a high-speed chase.

According to Toccoa Police Chief Jimmy Mize, on May 4, a Toccoa Police Officer stopped a vehicle on Elberton Street at Avon Street for the driver not wearing a seat belt.

The officer and the lone occupant and driver of the vehicle, 46-year-old Fred Robert Edmonds Jr., of Martin, spoke about the violation and Edmonds provided his driver’s license to the officer.

His license was checked through dispatch and the officer was advised that Edmonds had a possible warrant through Stephens County Sheriff’s Office.

Mize says, when Edmonds was made aware of the possible warrant, he became erratic and started to move around in the car and reaching with his hands around his waist and under the seat.

Mize says, the officer advised Edmonds to get out of the vehicle for their safety and Edmonds refused and continued to act as he was retrieving something under the seat.

The officer moved to gain reactionary distance for his safety and gave Edmonds multiple commands to get out of the vehicle. At this point, Mize says, Edmonds put the car in drive and sped away.

The Officer pursued the subject with lights and sirens activated for approximately two minutes.

During this time, Edmonds drove at high speeds, driving on the wrong side of the road along with other traffic violations putting the other motorists on the road at risk for serious injury.

When Edmonds approached the intersection of Hwy 145 and Hwy 17 Toccoa Bypass, there was heavy traffic, he did not attempt to stop at the red light and struck a northbound truck.

Both vehicles received heavy damage.

At this time, Mize says, the officer still unsure if Edmonds was armed or not ordered him to show his hands and to get out of the vehicle. The officer’s service weapon was drawn.

Edmonds refused and was ultimately removed from the vehicle and placed on the ground.

There Edmonds refused to give officers his hands but was taken into custody after a brief tussle on the ground.

He was then taken to a patrol vehicle and transported to Stephens County Hospital to be evaluated for any injuries.

The other driver involved in the accident received minor injuries.

At Stephens County Hospital, Edmonds was asked to submit to a blood test for DUI; but refused the test.

Edmonds was arrested and charged with seat belt violation, two counts of misdemeanor obstruction, failure to maintain lane, improper use of the central turning lane, reckless driving, DUI-Drug refusal, and felony fleeing and eluding law enforcement.

The Georgia State Patrol worked the accident.