A Cleveland man faces 19 criminal counts after allegedly shooting at Hall County sheriff’s deputies while fleeing from them early Sunday morning.
27-year-old Austin Cole Abel remains in the Hall County Jail without bond.
Felonies and misdemeanors
According to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Abel faces several felony charges, including four counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer and fleeing and attempting to elude officers. He has also been charged with a host of misdemeanor traffic violations, including:
- DUI drugs-less safe
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Improper left or right turn
- Wireless communication use while driving
- No safety belt
- Failure to allow emergency vehicle to pass
- Failure to maintain lane
- Driving in an emergency lane
- Following too closely
- Obedience to traffic control devices (3 counts)
- Obstruction of an officer
It started with a traffic stop
Preliminary information released by the GBI indicates that at about 3 a.m. on Jan. 5, Hall County deputies attempted a traffic stop on a man, later identified as Abel, for driving erratically northbound on GA 365.
Deputies chased Abel to Brookton Lula Road near the intersection of Clarks Bridge Road. As he was driving, Abel reportedly fired several rounds at one of the deputies chasing him.
According to a GBI press release, the deputy returned fire at Abel from his patrol car.
“Abel shot the deputy’s patrol car multiple times. The chase continued, and about two miles away from the shooting location, deputies forced Abel’s SUV into a ditch on Lula Road,” the release states.
After the SUV stopped, authorities say Abel refused to leave the vehicle. He eventually complied and was taken into custody. The GBI says Abel complained of minor injuries following the traffic accident, and EMTs treated him at the scene before he was taken to jail.
The GBI is investigating the officer-involved shooting. Once that part of the investigation is complete, the case will be given to the Hall County District Attorney’s Office for review.
