A Lavonia man was arrested early Sunday after allegedly leading a police chase that ended with the suspect jumping into Lake Hartwell.
Shawn Austin Mays, 29, faces multiple charges in the case, including Felony Fleeing.
The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) said Sunday afternoon that the incident began when a trooper from Post 52 in Hartwell attempted to pull over a white 2017 Subaru Outback that had been reported stolen. The attempted traffic stop was conducted on Gerrard Road in Franklin County, not far from Pleasant Hill Road.
“The driver of the Subaru immediately initiated a vehicle pursuit that traveled onto GA 328,” the GSP said in a statement sent to local media. “While the vehicle pursuit traveled north on GA 328, the driver of the Subaru lost control in a curve near mile marker 3 and traveled onto the west shoulder of the roadway.”
The vehicle finally came to a stop after slamming into a guardrail. Mays then exited the vehicle, fleeing the scene on foot.
“The driver … jumped into Lake Hartwell, and began swimming to the middle of a nearby cove,” the statement continued. “After setting up a perimeter, a Hart County Deputy and a Lavonia Police Officer utilized a local citizen’s boat to secure the suspect from Lake Hartwell.”
Mays was taken into custody without further incident, and was transported t St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
The State Patrol was assisted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Hart County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lavonia Police Department.
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