Two South Carolina men were arrested Sept. 3 after refusing to pull over, initiating a pursuit that ended in Taliaferro County.
The driver, Shannon Kewon Chapman, 21, of Newberry, S.C., faces charges of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, violation of tag light requirements, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Melton Deon Scott, 20, of Reeden Point Dr., Columbia, S.C., has been charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
According to reports, Greene County Deputy Leo Sierra initiated a traffic stop on a white GMC Acadia on I-20 eastbound for a tag light violation. As he approached the vehicle, Sierra smelled marijuana. When Sierra approached the front passenger door, the driver drove off, initiating the pursuit.
According to Sierra’s account, Chapman exceeded 100 miles per hour as he traveled eastbound on the interstate. Near milepost 138, Chapman tried to pass two vehicles on the left shoulder and nearly caused an accident before regaining control of the vehicle.
According to the report, Chapman began driving on the right shoulder as the pursuit continued into Taliaferro County. Sierra said this was an attempt to discard items from the vehicle.
Chapman continued to travel eastbound and passed vehicles on the right and left shoulder.
As the pursuit approached Exit 160, Chapman left the interstate and crashed into a fence where the exit ramp intersects with Cadley Road.
Sierra and Deputy Cowdrey approached the vehicle, and both driver and passenger were taken into custody.
According to the report, Chapman and Scott both said they ran because they had marijuana inside the vehicle.
A search revealed a bag containing multiple sealed bags of marijuana and a large amount of money. Sierra also found a tan Glock magazine with ammunition.
The Georgia State Patrol arrived to conduct a crash investigation.
Both subjects were transported to the Morgan County Jail.