Atlanta Man Arrested in Franklin Co After Weekend High-Speed Chase

An Austell man is behind bars in Franklin County after a high-speed chase up I-85.

Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas said just after 1p on Saturday, his Deputies attempted to stop a black 2013 Infiniti JX35 for minor traffic violations.

The driver of the vehicle failed to stop which initiated a pursuit, going Northbound on the Interstate.

During the pursuit, which reached speeds of over 110 miles per hour, the driver, identified as 44-year-old Omar Smith of Austell, began throwing items from the vehicle.

Smith drove into South Carolina, got off the Interstate, and then got back on 85 southbound traveling back into Georgia.

Just before Exit 177 SB, Smith’s vehicle went off the shoulder of the Interstate and through a fence, coming to a stop on Harbor Light Marina RD.

He then got out of the vehicle and ran.

Deputies with the Hart County Sheriff`s Office assisted with setting up a perimeter, along with the Georgia State Patrol and Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

The Oconee County, SC Sheriff`s Office responded to the scene with their drone and K-9 unit to assist in the apprehension.

As Oconee County arrived on the scene, a deputy with the Hart County Sheriff`s Office spotted the individual running on the back side of the perimeter.

The Hart County Deputy gave verbal commands and the driver was taken into custody without incident.

Smith was taken to the Franklin County Detention Center.

He’s charged with two counts of felony fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance (felony), pills not in original container, and obstruction.

Along with these charges, Smith was issued citations for driving under the influence of drugs, speeding, failure to maintain lane, following too closely, reckless driving, improper lane usage, failure to report accident, failure to signal lane change, window tint, knowingly driving a motor vehicle on suspended, canceled or revoked registration, defective tires, failure to exercise due care, driving while license withdrawn, failure to maintain insurance, obscured or missing license plate and littering from a motor vehicle.

As of Monday Smith remained in the Franklin County Detention Center.