Bad Links?
Other glitches?
Notify Webmaster

Drug suspect nabbed after car chase

By LEE WILLIAMS
lwilliams@TheCitizenNews.com

One Fayette County sheriff’s deputy was injured and four patrol cars were damaged after a suspected methamphetamine dealer led officials on a brief high-speed chase along Tyrone Road and Ga. Highway 74 Wednesday morning.

The man allegedly responsible for the damage now is behind bars.

Aaron Plank, 34, of 1512 Highway 54, Fayetteville, faces multiple charges including possession of methamphetamine, fleeing and attempting to elude police, reckless driving, running a red light, stop sign violation and two counts of passing in a no-passing zone following the 9 a.m. incident.

“This particular individual had been under investigation for dealing ice in Fayette County,” Fayette County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Lt. Belinda McCastle said. “He observed and the deputy attempted to make a traffic stop.”

Law enforcement officials spotted Plank at 265 Tyrone Road in a 1994 black Toyota pick-up and they attempted to stop the vehicle.

“The driver slowed and pulled his vehicle over to the side of the roadway as if he was going to comply,” McCastle said. “Needless to say, he didn’t, and continued northbound on Tyrone Road, fleeing and attempting to elude the police officer.”

Plank continued to flee traveling at speeds as high as 50 to 90 mph, said Capt. Bryan Woodie of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department Traffic Enforcment Division.

Plank traveled northbound on Tyrone Road. He made a right on Hwy. 74 and continued north heading towards Fairburn.

The chase ended seven miles away at Hwy. 74 and Landrum Road in Fulton County when Plank allegedly lost control of his truck.

Two marked and two unmarked vehicles were involved in the chase, three of which were disabled during the mayhem. A fourth vehicle received a scratch on the bumper.

“The truck was blocked in with two vehicles to prevent any further pursuit,” McCastle said. One patrol car pulled up in front of Plank’s vehicle. Another patrol car pulled up behind Plank, authorities said.

“That’s when Plank backed away from that deputy’s car and he ended up striking another deputy’s car who pulled in behind him to end the pursuit,” McCastle said.

A deputy inside of one of the patrol car’s received a scratch on his leg. He received stitches, but he has since returned to work.

McCastle said the suspect, who had a gram of ice in his possession, refused to exit the vehicle upon request.

It is unclear if Plank was injured during the incident. An EMT attempted to look over Plank, but he refused treatment, officials said.

Plank, who also had outstanding warrants in Spalding County, was taken to the Fayette County Jail without further incident.