A man wanted on a Chatham County assault warrant led Rincon police on a high-speed chase Friday afternoon, ending in a crash.
The man, whose name has not been released, was stopped for speeding in Rincon when officers clocked him going 51 mph in a 35 mph zone on W. Ninth Street.
While the officer was writing the driver a citation, information he was wanted on a warrant was received, Rincon Police Lt. Jose Ramirez said.
“He was then asked to step out of the car and he refused,” Ramirez said.
The man then took off at a high speed with officers following. The Georgia State Patrol and Effingham County Sheriff’s Office assisted.
The chase was about 13 miles long, with speeds reached of about 100 mph. It ended when the man crashed the Kia 4-door sedan he was driving head on into a Pine tree on McIntyre Road in Marlow.
“He lost control of the car,” Ramirez said.
Ramirez said the man didn’t appear injured as he ran from the car, even though the air bags went off.
“He took off as if it was nothing,” Ramirez said. The driver was alone in the car.
Officers then gave chase on foot and were able to detain the man.
The man was transported by ambulance to the hospital as a precaution, Ramirez said.
Ramirez said officers saw the man throwing things from the driver’s side window of the car during the chase.
Chief Phillip Scholl said they found cocaine and marijuana the suspect threw from car.