On Monday afternoon, a car chase in Cartersville led to the arrest of a man after he allegedly attempted to evade law enforcement. At approximately 2:30 PM, a Bartow-Cartersville Drug Task Force agent spotted a white Ford Expedition with a fictitious tag parked at the Chevron Ameri-Mart on Burnt Hickory Road and Mission Road.
When deputies attempted to identify the driver, the vehicle took off, prompting a traffic stop on Duncan Drive. The driver, later identified as 60-year-old Michael Fitzgerald Sullivan of Cartersville, reportedly failed to comply with commands to provide his name or vehicle details. After warnings, a deputy decided to break the window of the Expedition to remove Sullivan. At that point, he drove off, sparking a pursuit.
Witnesses reported that Sullivan sped through intersections, reaching speeds over 80 miles per hour while driving on the wrong side of the road and forcing other vehicles onto the shoulder to avoid collision. The chase came to a dramatic end near Cherokee Avenue and Jackson Street as Sullivan lost control of the vehicle, leading it to roll down an embankment but ultimately coming to a stop on its wheels.
Even after the crash, Sullivan allegedly continued to resist arrest. In a bid to subdue him, deputies deployed a police canine. They apprehended Sullivan as he tried to evade them throughout the vehicle. His adult daughter, who was a passenger, sustained minor lacerations during the incident.
Metro EMS transported both to Piedmont Cartersville Medical Center for treatment. The daughter, who is reportedly autistic and cannot function on her own, was later released to a family member. Sullivan went to jail, facing multiple charges, including attempting to elude police and exploitation and intimidation of a disabled adult.