A Demorest man remains jailed on multiple misdemeanor charges after a police chase in Baldwin and Cornelia.
34-year-old Victor Ignacio Barragan was arrested on December 4. That night, Baldwin police officer Dakota Foster said he observed a Ford Expedition with a missing headlight traveling north on Willingham Avenue. He said the vehicle matched the description of one that fled from Hall County deputies twice earlier that evening.
“Officer Foster attempted a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Victor Barragan, did not comply and fled from Officer Foster,” says Baldwin Police Chief Chris Jones.
Police say Barragan was driving in a manner “consistent with an impaired driver.” He reportedly ran the red light at the intersection of Willingham Avenue and Highway 441. Officer Foster pursued the vehicle into Cornelia and contacted Cornelia police to deploy spike strips. Due to radio traffic issues, they were unable to respond.
With Foster still pursuing him, Barragan contacted Habersham County 911. He said he was having a medical emergency and was attempting to reach a hospital.
“The dispatcher told Barragan to pull over for the officer, and there would be an ambulance en route. Barragan did not pull over,” Jones says.
Police set up a rolling roadblock, but Barragan evaded it. Foster ended the pursuit with a PIT maneuver.
Jones says Barragan refused medical attention and was transported to Habersham County Jail.
Police charged Barragan with driving under the influence, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, fleeing and attempting to elude, headlight requirements, seat belt violation, and possession of drug-related objects.
Authorities booked him at the Habersham County jail. He remained in jail as of December 9 on a $13,690 bond.
