New Year’s Day High-Speed Chase ends in Suicide

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR

A high-speed chase early New Year’s Day that started in Franklin County, ended with the suspect committing suicide in Jackson County.

Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas it began about 3a New Year’s Day when a deputy tried to pull a vehicle over for speeding.

“Around 3a on January 1, Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies on I-85 observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed,” Thomas said. “Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver refused, and a chase ensued northbound up I-85. The driver exited the Interstate at Exit 177, turned left, crossed over the Interstate and re-entered 85 southbound. The driver was traveling too fast to use the pit maneuver. At times, he was running at over 125 mph.”

Thomas said the Georgia State Patrol was notified after deputies requested assistance.

The Sheriff said GSP troopers from the Hartwell and Athens Posts, along with Sheriff’s deputies from Banks and Jackson Counties joined in the chase.

At one point in the chase, the Franklin County deputy in pursuit saw the driver throw a plastic bag with a white substance from the driver side window, according to Thomas.

As the pursuit continued into Jackson County, Thomas says law enforcement was able to stop the vehicle.

“When the vehicle slowed down, the deputies executed a pit maneuver. As deputies ran towards the vehicle, the driver locked the car doors and jumped into the back seat where deputies saw him reach for a gun. The driver then shot himself,” Thomas said.

Thomas said the car then burst into flames, but deputies were able to pull the driver out of the vehicle. Jackson EMS arrived and the Jackson County coroner’s office pronounced the driver dead at the scene.

The Georgia State Patrol Hartwell Post identifies the driver as 32-year old Dylan Wojtkowski of Pine Log Rd, in Conyers, Georgia.

Wojtkowski was originally from New Jersey and worked as a shift supervisor at Pallet Rack Surplus of Conyers.

Thomas said the GBI is continuing to investigate the incident. He thanked all of the law enforcement agencies that assisted in the pursuit.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the victim’s family,” Thomas said.