A high speed chase which began in Long County ended in Hinesville the evening of April 21, when Georgia State Patrol used the pursuit intervention technique to stop the vehicle.

According to GSP Trooper, Lyle Thurmond the vehicle was traveling eastbound doing 88 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone on Highway 84 in Long County when he attempted to stop the driver, now identified as George Tavis Devron Tillman Bess, 19.

Thurmond said Bess allegedly refused to pull over and increased his speed. When Bess entered Hinesville he attempted to lose Thurmond by turning onto Kasey Drive and then onto South Main. Bess then turned onto Glenn Bryant, got on Pineland and eventually onto E.G. Miles Parkway where he nearly struck a vehicle at the intersection of Gen. Screven while turning back onto East Oglethorpe Highway. GSP reported Bess continued to elude police.

With speeds allegedly reaching over 100 mph, Thurmond saw an opportunity to use the pursuit intervention technique (PIT). Bess allegedly lost control of his vehicle wrecking it in front of the Parker’s service station at Ralph Quarterman on East Oglethorpe highway.  

One person identified as a passenger was injured in the accident and taken to Liberty Regional Medical Center in Hinesville to be treated.  

Another passenger was released at the scene.  Bess faces numerous charges to include fleeing or attempting to elude policer officer (felony), speeding in excess of maximum limits, three counts of failure to obey a stop sign, two counts of obey traffic control device, two counts of reckless driving and improper use of central turn lane.

GSP reported that during the pursuit, a bag was allegedly tossed out the windows of the moving vehicle in a Hinesville mobile home park but the object has yet to be recovered.

The Hinesville Police Department assisted Thurmond during the chase.

According to the booking record Bess had his bond set at $4,638.00