A routine traffic stop escalated into a police chase early Friday morning, leading to the arrest of a woman on multiple charges that include reckless driving and drug possession.
According to the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, Cornelia police first spotted a silver vehicle allegedly speeding at 80 mph in a 65 mph zone on Level Grove Road on the morning of Friday, March 21, before the vehicle turned onto GA 365 southbound.
As the officer attempted to track the vehicle, according to police, the driver allegedly executed a U-turn and began heading north. Due to jurisdictional limitations, officers requested assistance from county authorities.
Authorities say the responding officer caught up to the vehicle and observed the driver allegedly make an abrupt lane change, nearly colliding with a tractor-trailer and causing a dangerous situation on the highway.
The driver then exited onto Level Grove Road, where she allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign before re-entering GA 365 northbound.
With emergency lights activated, an officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver – later identified as Karina Garcia, 20, of Cornelia – allegedly failed to comply and continued down the roadway.
Police say that after Garcia refused to pull over, an officer executed a PIT maneuver and brought the vehicle to a stop.
Garcia was taken into custody at the scene, according to police.
Medical personnel were called to evaluate her condition, but police say she refused treatment.
During a routine search at the jail, a female officer allegedly discovered a baggie containing a white, crystal-like substance in Garcia’s pants. Further investigation confirmed the substance to be methamphetamine, according to authorities.
Garcia was booked into the Habersham County Jail and now faces charges of reckless driving, fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine and crossing the guard line with contraband.
