MORGAN COUNTY
Morgan County Deputy Cameron Pound was trying to conduct a routine traffic stop on a vehicle with a malfunctioning taillight but found himself in a high-speed chase on Jan. 31 after the driver of the vehicle sped away when he exited his patrol vehicle to approach the car.
As a result, a warrant is being sought for Ricky Dale Johnson, 44, of Monticello on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, obstruction of officers, driving while license suspended and taillight requirement violations.
According to the report, Pound was conducting traffic enforcement on Highway 278 near Brooks Road when he saw a blue Pontiac G6 with the broken taillight. He activated his emergency equipment and the vehicle pulled over.
As Pound got out and walked toward the Pontiac, he heard the driver put the car in gear. The driver then accelerated aggressively, which caused the Pontiac to spin around going west towards Rutledge Crossing, according to the report.
Pound got back in his patrol unit and advised dispatch he was involved in a vehicle pursuit.
Pound said he caught up to the Pontiac at Davis Academy Road, but the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed and driving erratically.
According to Pound’s report, the vehicles reached speeds of 130 miles per hour, Pound continued the chase until he reached the Walton County line, where he was advised to cancel the pursuit.
According to reports, Georgia State Troopers got involved in the chase and were heading to the address connected to the Pontiac’s license plate.
The car was owned by the grandmother of the man driving the car, later identified as Johnson. The troopers waited at the address, but the Pontiac never came.
The grandmother was contacted and confirmed that Johnson was driving the Pontiac. Johnson told a GSP Trooper he planned to turn himself in but never did.
A check of Johnson’s license revealed that it was suspended for failure to appear, failure to meet child support obligations and other reasons.