A police chase that began June 30 with what appeared to be a routine traffic stop ended after a Georgia State Patrol trooper performed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver, sending the fleeing driver to the Greene County Jail.
Jerrod Javarius Brown, 29, of 499 Briar Bay Road in Riceboro, was arrested on two counts of obstruction of a law enforcement officer, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and reckless driving. He was also cited for following too closely and a window tint violation.
According to reports obtained from the Greene County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Leo Sierra stopped a gray Nissan Maxima driven by Brown on Interstate 20 eastbound near mile marker 130 for following too closely and an illegal window tint. Sierra tested the tint and determined it allowed less than 32% light transmission, violating Georgia law.
Sierra asked Brown to step out of the vehicle to explain the violations and verify his driver's license information. Brown questioned why he needed to exit the vehicle.
According to the report, Sierra explained that case law allows law enforcement officers to order drivers out of their vehicles for officer safety and investigative purposes.
Brown then suddenly put the vehicle in drive and fled the traffic stop. Sierra notified Greene County dispatch that he was in pursuit of Brown eastbound on I-20 at speeds exceeding 90 mph.
Near mile marker 134.5, Deputy Joseph Chapman, the closest available unit, joined the pursuit along with Georgia State Patrol Trooper Tyler Easter.
Chapman initially took the lead as Brown accelerated to more than 100 mph while weaving through traffic and passing vehicles on the right shoulder.
Near mile marker 136.5, Easter moved into the lead position and executed a PIT maneuver, ending the pursuit.
Brown's Maxima left the roadway, crashed into the woods, and struck a tree. Sierra requested EMS because of the severity of the crash.
According to the report, Brown climbed out of the overturned vehicle through the front passenger window and attempted to flee on foot.
After jumping a fence, Brown tripped and fell. He then complied with Sierra's commands and was taken into custody without further incident.
During a search, Sierra found a single 9mm round in Brown's pocket. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a loaded FMK 9mm handgun and additional ammunition.
A criminal history check revealed Brown had multiple felony convictions in Chatham County Superior Court, including aggravated battery and aggravated stalking in 2019.