The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office has released details of its early morning pursuit of a van Sunday on Highway 365 in Demorest.
According to the incident report, a deputy pulled over the driver of a Chrysler Town and Country van at 2:25 a.m. on June 25 for making an improper lane change and erratic driving. As the deputy approached the vehicle, he said he heard yelling coming from the van “as if someone was in distress.”
When the deputy asked the driver, 45-year-old William Ray Barnhardt, for his license, he says the Gainesville man began reaching about inside the vehicle, claiming he was trying to secure his dog.
Deputies commanded Barnhardt to exit the vehicle several times. They say he continued trying to distract them, then “abruptly placed the vehicle in drive” and fled the traffic stop.
Wrong-way run
According to deputies, Barnhardt drove away “recklessly at a high rate of speed.” He crossed into the turning lane at Iron Ore Road and changed directions in the grassy median. Three of them tried to box in the van. Barnhardt drove into the front of a sergeant’s 2022 Dodge Durango, causing minor damage.
Barnhardt fled northbound in the southbound lanes of Highway 365 in the direction of potential oncoming traffic. The pursuit continued between Iron Ore Road and Demorest-Mt. Airy Highway.
One deputy used his 2021 Dodge Charger patrol car to set up a PIT maneuver and stop the van.
Struggle during arrest
The Georgia State Patrol said over the weekend that Barnhardt was arrested without incident. However, the sheriff’s office says a struggle ensued. When deputies attempted to handcuff Barnhardt, they say he resisted and began to “thrash about on the ground.”
At one point, Barnhardt reportedly began reaching into his waistband and appeared to be grabbing for something, “potentially a weapon.”
According to the incident report, Barnhardt forcefully kicked one of the deputies in the upper thigh. Deputies subdued him by striking him with “several hard hands, on or about the facial and upper body areas.”
Habersham EMTs evaluated Barnhardt on-site for any medical issues. Deputies then booked him at the county jail. The state patrol says Barnhardt was later transported to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
A Habersham County Animal Care and Control officer took custody of his dog.
Narcotics recovered along highway
While reviewing dashcam video of the pursuit, officials say they saw Barnhardt throw narcotics paraphernalia across the median when he got out of the van. The sheriff’s office sent a deputy back to the scene to recover the evidence. They reportedly retrieved methamphetamine, fentanyl, THC wax, and marijuana.
The state and national crime databases later alerted authorities that Barnhardt has an outstanding warrant in Ohio. The data included warnings about his alleged violent tendencies, being armed with dangerous weapons, extensive narcotics offenses, and armed robberies.
Barnhardt faces multiple charges in Habersham as a result of the chase. Those charges include fleeing and eluding a police officer, obstruction of an officer, aggravated assault upon a law enforcement officer, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of THC oil/wax, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and tampering with evidence.
As of Monday afternoon, June 26, Barnhardt remained in jail on a $49,300 bond.
The Georgia State Patrol investigated the collisions involving the patrol vehicles with the van and reported that both vehicles were damaged. The sheriff’s office says the Dodge Charger did not sustain any damage.
