WBHF obtained the incident report from the Georgia State Patrol concerning a car chase on I-75 southbound in Gordon County last week that ended in Bartow County.
A GSP trooper was operating a radar gun last Tuesday (September 29th) when he observed a blue Toyota Camry traveling above the speed limit. The radar gun showed the Camry was traveling 92 miles per hour and accelerated to a rate of speed above 120 miles per hour when the trooper activated his emergency equipment, lights, and siren.
The pursuit entered Bartow County, where the driver continued to flee in a reckless manner and at a high rate of speed. The driver would turn her headlights and tail-lights off and showed no regard for other drivers. Due to the high speeds and reckless, driving behavior, the trooper did not feel that spike strips would be safe during this point of the pursuit. Another trooper joined the pursuit at mile marker 296 and advised that he would handle all radio traffic.
Due to the roadway conditions and the Camry’s reckless driving, the pursuit became increasingly dangerous. There were not enough units in the pursuit to perform a “box-in” maneuver. Instead, the trooper decided to use the precision immobilization technique, also known as the “PIT” maneuver, which was successful. The driver lost control of the vehicle and ran off the right side of the roadway, traveling into a wooded area near mile marker 295. After running off the roadway, the vehicle struck several trees.
Both troopers drew their firearms and gave verbal commands before they were able to detain and arrest all occupants. The driver of the Camry was identified as 25-year-old Jermia Price of Tennessee. There were two passengers in the car. All were transported to Cartersville medical center.
The two passengers indicated that Price was the driver. Price stated when Nashville city police in Tennessee attempted to stop her, she would accelerate and flee. She stated that police units would then stop the pursuit and had performed this multiple times. Price was charged with four counts of reckless driving, one count of fleeing and attempting to elude, and one count of speeding in excess of maximum limits.