On January 20, 2024, Tpr. Jamie Champion (366) and I, TFC Zachary Walker (201), overheard on the in-car radio system that Cpl. Joshua Bartlett (421) was in a pursuit with a silver truck eastbound on GA-104. Tpr. Champion and I turned westbound onto GA-104 as we observed the truck and Cpl. Bartlett turn onto the eastbound I-20 on ramp. We caught up to the pursuit and notified the communications center we were secondary in the pursuit. As we approached mile marker 200 on I-20 eastbound we observed Cpl. Bartlett set up for a Precision Immobilization Technique (P.I.T.). As Cpl. Bartlett set up to P.I.T. the truck aggressively braked causing Cpl. Bartlett to travel in front of the violator. After traveling in front of the violator, Cpl. Bartlett began to slow him by traveling at a slower speed in front of him. I advised Tpr. Champion to P.I.T. the truck as Cpl. Bartlett was slowing the truck down. I observed the truck swerve from left to right extremely aggressively. Even as Cpl. Bartlett positioned his patrol car in the left lane, we observed the truck swerve right then back left aggressively in what appeared to be an attempt to strike Cpl. Bartlett’s vehicle. The truck passed Cpl. Bartlett on the left shoulder so aggressively, it looked as though he struck the left side of his patrol car. We became primary as the pursuit entered South Carolina. Due to the truck swerving at Cpl. Bartlett several times and the high rate of speed he attempted to strike him, I determined there to be enough evidence for Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer. Cpl. Bartlett began to call the pursuit and notified the communications center to notify South Carolina Highway Patrol. While we were traveling through the construction zone the truck drove in both lanes simultaneously. Due to the close shoulders of the concrete barriers and other motorists it was deemed too unsafe to attempt to P.I.T. Cpl. Bartlett advised on the radio to terminate the pursuit. I confirmed on the radio that he wanted us to terminate to which he stated “unless you believe he swerved at me, break it off. If he swerved at me, then keep chasing”. As I was answering Cpl. Bartlett, the truck aggressively braked in an attempt to cause a collision causing Tpr. Champion to swerve into the median to avoid the collision. As Tpr. Champion swerved into the median; we began to yaw before correcting in the roadway. Due to the violator’s numerous attempts to wreck two patrol cars, Cpl. Bartlett became primary and continued the pursuit. We exited onto SC 121 southbound and began traveling towards Richmond County. I notified Richmond County we were entering back into Georgia. Due to stopping for several intersections, we lost sight of Cpl. Bartlett. Several Richmond County Deputies assisted Cpl. Bartlett as he chased the violator through several city streets. I heard Cpl. Bartlett state that the violator turned westbound onto Ellis Street approaching its intersection with 13th Street. I told Tpr. Champion to continue on 13th Street towards Ellis Street. Tpr. Champion asked if we should deploy stop sticks to which I stated it was too unsafe due to the violator’s previous attempts to wreck into us and Cpl. Bartlett. As we approached Ellis Street, I observed the violator driving towards us. Due to his reckless driving, his swerving and attempting to wreck multiple patrol cars, the length of the pursuit, and the possibility of him traveling towards Broad Street, where many pedestrians were walking, I advised Tpr. Champion to strike the violator with the patrol car. As the truck turned north onto 13th Street, Tpr. Champion struck the driver’s side rear of the truck with the front of the patrol car. The truck rotated counterclockwise where the driver was able to recover and continue to flee. Due to the angle of striking the truck, our patrol car entered a small ditch in the constructions zone and became stuck. Cpl. Bartlett was able to continue the pursuit where he eventually was able to take the driver into custody. Cpl. Bartlett arrived back on scene and all investigations were turned over to him.

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