Four Atlanta men face charges following a police chase that ended in a wreck early Sunday morning in Demorest.
24-year-old Demon Rayshund Williams, 21-year-old Omar Landry, 23-year-old Thaddeus Landry, and 23-year-old Roger Turner were arrested after the 2017 Ford Mustang they were riding in ran into a utility pole. The wreck happened in front of old Demorest Elementary School, now Concord Baptist Church, on Historic US 441.
The wreck occurred just moments after video of the chase was captured by an onlooker near the Race Trac gas station in Cornelia. Jesse Estrada recorded video of the Mustang being pursued by five law enforcement vehicles. Deputies from the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) were leading the chase. None of the patrol units wrecked.
Wild ride through Habersham
The chase began around 4:30 a.m. in the area of GA 15/US 441 and Talmadge Drive in Clarkesville when a deputy attempted to stop the Mustang for speeding and failing to maintain its lane, according to HCSO Lt. Matthew Wurtz. “The Deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle and the driver decided to flee instead of stopping for the traffic violations,” Wurtz says.
The vehicle continued southbound through the Tom Arrendale Interchange onto GA 365.
“While traveling southbound through the area of Highway 365 and Demorest-Mt. Airy Highway, Habersham County deputies, with the assistance of officers from Demorest Police Department, were able to deploy spike strips on the suspect vehicle. The vehicle did strike the spike strips causing (the) tires on the vehicle to deflate,” says Wurtz.
After striking the spike strips, the vehicle continued southbound on GA 365 and exited onto GA 385/US 441 in Cornelia.
“While exiting on the ramp, at least one passenger exited the vehicle,” Wurtz states. “The driver/passenger were also observed throwing items out of the vehicle window while on the Hwy 385 ramp.”
As it came off the exit ramp, the car turned left onto GA 385/US 441, traveling north toward Demorest. The driver, later identified as Williams, lost control of the vehicle and wrecked into the utility pole in the area of US 441/Central Avenue and Florida Street.
Wurtz says the driver and remaining passengers in the car fled the scene on foot. They were all located and arrested.
Investigation and charges
During their investigation deputies retrieved a hand gun, less than one ounce of marijuana, and synthetic marijuana, according to Wurtz.
HCSO filed charges against all of the suspects. Williams faces additional charges from the Georgia State Patrol for the traffic offenses. He’s charged with reckless driving, speeding, felony fleeing and attempt to elude, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, no proof of insurance, driving on the wrong side of the roadway, operating an unsafe vehicle, failure to maintain lane, too fast for conditions, and driving on a suspended license.
Omar Landry is charged with possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and possession of synthetic marijuana.
Thaddeus Landry is charged with obstruction of an officer, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, and possession of synthetic marijuana.
Turner is charged with possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, possession of synthetic marijuana, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
All four suspects are at the Habersham County Detention Center awaiting bond.
This is the second police pursuit to end in a wreck in Habersham County this week.
