Injured deputy responded to a chase

The Oconee deputy injured in this morning’s accident near highway 59 in the Crossroads Community was responding to a pursuit that started on highway 24.  Neither the deputy, nor the driver of the pursued vehicle, was identified by name. The deputy and the other driver were taken to the hospital.  And the sheriff’s office says it will not identify the subject of the pursuit until he is booked into the jail.  The sheriff’s office gave this account of what happened:  “Earlier this morning, a deputy from the P.A.C.E. (Pro-Active Criminal Enforcement) team observed a blue in color hatchback style vehicle without a rear bumper disregard a stop sign at excessive speed at the intersection of Highway 24 at Bethel Church Road and Snow Creek Road.  The deputy also observed the same vehicle pass on a double yellow line. The deputy observed the vehicle turn into Coneross Point and the deputy lost sight of the vehicle.  The vehicle came back out of Coneross Point, passed the deputy, whereupon the deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop.  The deputy informed dispatch that a pursuit was in progress.  Besides lights and sirens being activated, the Pursuit Alert system was activated as well. The pursuit made its way towards the Tokeena Crossroads area, eventually making its way down Deer Knoll Drive off of Highway 59.  During the course of the pursuit, the vehicle being pursued went into a ditch and came back out onto the roadway.  The pursuit came to an end and the driver of the vehicle was placed into custody after a foot pursuit. Additional deputies responded to assist the deputy who was involved in the pursuit.  One of the responding deputies struck a tree with their patrol vehicle.  The deputy was transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries.”