SCSO arrest Toccoa man following vehicle chase

A Toccoa man has been arrested by the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, on Tuesday, December 14, at approximately 4:18 p.m. a sheriff’s deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Jeep Cherokee near a business on Big A Road.

Shirley says deputies were advised that a wanted fugitive was inside the vehicle.

The driver of the Jeep Cherokee failed to stop after Sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Dixon initiated his blue lights and siren.

Shirley says the driver continued at a slow speed refusing to stop.

Once a backup deputy arrived, the driver of the suspect vehicle made a quick U-Turn on Big A Road, heading south.

Shirley says at this point, the driver began picking up his speed, ultimately reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph once he passed the Walmart shopping center.

The driver continued on State Route 17 until he attempted to turn onto Eastanollee Bypass, but Shirley says the driver lost control and crashed.

After crashing, the suspect immediately jumped out of his vehicle and fled the area.

Deputy Dixon and his K-9, Reba, followed by other deputies began searching the area.

The driver was located hiding underneath a mobile home not far from the crash scene.

The driver, identified as 32-year-old Roger Neal, was arrested without incident.

Deputies and K-9 Reba searched the suspect vehicle and area where Neal fled and recovered a sizable quantity of marijuana.

Shirley says Neal is charged with felony probation warrant; possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution, or sale of marijuana; possession of marijuana; fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement officer; driving without a valid license; reckless driving; too fast for conditions; three counts of failure to obey signs or control devices; and failure to maintain lane.

Neal is currently incarcerated in the Stephens County Jail.