On 7/3/2024, at approximately 0756 hours, I was on routine patrol on State Route 23 southbound in Brantley County. I observed a blue motorcycle traveling north on State Route 23 that appeared to be traveling faster than the posted speed limit. I activated my department-issued radar and observed the motorcycle’s speed to be 71 mph in a 55 mph zone. I safely turned around on State Route 23 and attempted to catch up to the motorcycle. When I caught up to the motorcycle, I observed the tag tucked under the rear to the point where I was unable to identify it. I activated my emergency equipment and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. I could hear the engine of the motorcycle rev and accelerate. The motorcycle did not stop and initiated a pursuit. I advised Troop I Communications that the motorcycle was not stopping, and I was in pursuit. The motorcycle continued traveling north on State Route 23 at a high rate of speed. We approached a tractor trailer, and the motorcycle aggressively passed the truck. The motorcycle continued traveling towards the city limits of Nahunta. I advised Troop I Communications that the motorcycle was passing vehicles and driving aggressively. We approached the red light at the intersection of State Route 23 and State Route 520. The intersection was red on State Route 23 and changing on State Route 520. The motorcycle ran the red light crossing State Route 520. I approached the red light, slowed down, and used due regard to safely cross the intersection. Once I was safely across the intersection, I continued to pursue the motorcycle. The motorcycle approached a white Ford 150 traveling north on State Route 23 and attempted to pass it. The driver's helmet struck the driver's mirror on the Ford F-150 and he lost control of the motorcycle. The motorcycle traveled off the left shoulder of State Route 23 and struck the ditch drain. After impact with the drain, the motorcycle vaulted into the air, struck a tree, and the driver was thrown off the motorcycle. The driver was thrown across Burton Street and into a barrier in the parking lot of the post office. The driver struck the barrier, and was decapitated. When I pulled in the entrance of the post office, I observed the driver's head and motorcycle to the left of the barrier and his body to the right of the barrier, near the front door of the post office. I advised Troop I Communications that the motorcycle crashed and the driver was thrown off. Post 22 supervisors, Troop I Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT), and Troop I Command staff were notified. I grabbed an emergency blanket from the trunk of my patrol vehicle and attempted to cover the body. Shortly after, first responders arrived, and the scene was taped off and secured. A cell phone was located in the bushes near the crash scene and was ringing. SFC Smith was able to make contact with Tyler Johns, who identified himself as “like a brother” to the victim. Tyler Johns identified the driver as Mark Edward Johns but was unable to give me a birth date. Tyler Johns stated that Mark Johns lived with his ex-wife, identified as Sharon Johns. Tyler Johns stated that Mark’s parents were dead and that he and Sharon would be Mark’s closest next of kin. Tyler stated that he would drive over to Sharon’s house and notify her of the situation. Sgt. Cox, using his MDT, was able to retrieve a birth date on Mark and was also able to obtain a VIN on the motorcycle. Samantha Young with the Brantley County Coroner's Office pronounced Jones deceased at approximately 0758 hours. Coroner Young withdrew Johns' blood at approximately 0919 from his heart. The blood was sealed in a GBI DOFS-approved blood kit for shipment to the GBI crime lab. I spoke with workers at the Southeastern Bank and the City Hall to see if their cameras filmed the pursuit or the accident. Neither businesses were able to see anything related to the investigation. I released the vehicle to Thomas and Son Wrecker and turned the scene over to the Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT), who will be the primary investigators of the crash.

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