Morgan County deputies chased down a speeding motorcycle that began fleeing from law enforcement on I-20, continued across half a dozen surface streets and ended when the motorcyclist was forced into the grass by a deputy and crashed. The man was later turned over to EMS and taken to Athens Regional Hospital.
According to the MCSO, Wraith Clyde Excarcega, age unknown, has not yet been arrested but warrants have been obtained for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, speeding, reckless driving, expired registration and racing.
According to reports, Deputy Thomas Cameron Ptak was conducting traffic enforcement on I-20 eastbound when he saw a white Kawasaki motorcycle that appeared to be racing a black motorcycle. The Kawasaki was traveling at 104 mph, according to the report, so Ptak attempted a traffic stop and caught the motorcycle at milepost 106. However, the rider turned and looked at Ptak and began increasing speed.
According to the report, the motorcycle reached speeds in excess of 120 mph and was driving between vehicles including tractor-trailers as Excarcega fled.
At Exit 113, Excarcega left the interstate, but Sgt. Chad Lanier was waiting at the top of the ramp with his blue lights and siren activated.
Excarcega got back on the interstate but got off at the next exit, but Madison police officers were waiting at the top of the ramp and had the entrance ramp blocked to prevent him from getting back on the interstate.
Excarcega turned south on Eatonton Road and the pursuit continued.
Excarcega then turned right onto Pierce Dairy Road, continuing at speeds approaching 100 mph.
According to the report, Excarcega nearly lost control in a curve on Pierce Dairy.
Ptak and Lanier tried to box in the motorcycle, but Excarcega escaped. Excarcega then turned right on Seven Islands Road before turning onto Godfrey Road and then Little River Road according to the report.
Ptak said he came to stretch of road where he could see a great distance and observed no oncoming traffic, so he decided to see if he could end the pursuit before anyone got hurt.
He passed the motorcycle and blocked his pursuit. Excarcega attempted to pass in the wrong lane, but Ptak blocked that side as well. Once again, Excarcega attempted to pass Ptak on the right, but Ptak’s patrol unit blocked his escape again, and Excarcega was forced into the grass where he lost control and crashed.
The motorcycle and rider slid back across the roadway and into a ditch on the south side of the roadway, according to the report.
Ptak said Excarcega had a severe injury to his left arm, so he called in EMS.
The motorcycle was removed from the scene and the Georgia State Patrol was called into to investigate the incident.