A Snellville man was arrested on multiple charges after fleeing from a Greene County deputy, only to drive over spike strips deployed ahead of him near the Siloam exit.
Curtis Atkinson, 29, faces charges of following too closely, failure to maintain lane, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, crossing the guard line with contraband, possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance, driving while license suspended, hands-free and distracted driving violations, DUI, and impeding the free flow of traffic.
According to reports, Deputy Leo Sierra initiated the traffic stop on Atkinson’s Audi near milepost 130 for following too closely and a possible window tint violation. Sierra said the Audi was traveling in the left lane when he activated his emergency blue lights, but then merged into the right lane before returning to the left lane, accelerating to approximately 70 miles per hour and continuing eastbound.
After approximately one mile, Atkinson accelerated to speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour, and Sierra began his pursuit.
During the pursuit, Atkinson was observed talking on a cell phone by deputies.
As the vehicle approached mile marker 138, the driver attempted to exit the interstate but cut through the gore area and continued eastbound.
However, Deputy Alfred Flores deployed spike strips, which successfully deflated three of the vehicle's tires.
Flores had heard about the pursuit on his radio and traveled to the area near Exit 138 offramp.
Lt. Paquette asked Flores if he had enough time to set up spike strips since the pursuit was then approaching milepost 135.
Flores responded in the affirmative and soon observed the Audi approaching his location.
According to Flores, Atkinson slowed down drastically and almost stopped at the rear of Flores’ patrol vehicle. “The offender vehicle suddenly snatched its wheels to the left and rapidly accelerated,” Flores wrote in his report. “Using my patrol vehicle as cover, I deployed my spike strips in the path of the offender vehicle, resulting in three of its four tires being spiked and compromised.”
Lt. Patrick Paquette joined the pursuit near milepost 139 and caught up to the vehicle, which was riding on the right shoulder with flat tires.
Paquette pulled next to the fleeing vehicle, and Atkinson stopped and put his hands in the air.
According to reports, Atkinson was taken into custody, and Paquette immediately smelled the odor of marijuana coming from Atkinson.
Atkinson told Paquette he had smoked half a blunt approximately 30 minutes prior to the stop. Atkinson was then taken into custody.
After clearing the scene, Sierra was notified that while processing Atkinson at the jail, deputies discovered 30 grams of marijuana concealed in his underwear.
All recovered evidence was turned in to the Greene County Evidence Room pending further analysis.
The Georgia State Patrol was notified and responded to the scene, where they completed an accident report.