A high-speed chase that began in Glynn County, continued through Wayne County and ended in Ludowici resulted in damaged vehicles but no injuries.
Ludowici Police Officer Joseph Kinard said he received a call at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office requesting assistance for officials pursuing a 1997 Chevrolet truck headed toward Ludowici at a high rate of speed. The driver reportedly was driving recklessly.
LPD Officer Diannia Duncan said the chase began when the driver, who was identified as Jack David Kern, 42, of Guyton, fled from Glynn County authorities who tried to detain him for a probation warrant violation.
Kinard said Glynn authorities followed the truck and as Kern raced through Jesup, Wayne County law enforcement personnel and Georgia State Patrol troopers joined the chase.
LPD units stopped traffic at the intersection of Highways 84 and 57 and cleared the highways to ensure the safety of city residents and other motorists, Kinard said. The Chevrolet truck sped into Ludowici city limits with several law enforcement vehicles in pursuit.
As the truck turned right onto Highway 57 and headed toward Townsend, a Georgia State Patrol trooper forced the vehicle off the road, Kinard said. Kern ran the truck through the fence at Fowler’s Service Station and several cruisers boxed him in.
Even though the law enforcement officers drew their weapons, Kern tried to drive off, but LPD Officer Michael Taylor blocked the truck from leaving. Kinard said Kern tried to flee on foot but Long County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Andy Young Tasered the suspect. Kern was then arrested.
The incident was turned over to the Georgia State Patrol for processing. Liberty County GSP office administrator Lynne Simpson said Kern was charged with reckless driving, driving with a suspended or revoked license, not wearing a seat belt, DUI, and fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer.
Ludowici Police Officer Joseph Kinard said he received a call at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office requesting assistance for officials pursuing a 1997 Chevrolet truck headed toward Ludowici at a high rate of speed. The driver reportedly was driving recklessly.
LPD Officer Diannia Duncan said the chase began when the driver, who was identified as Jack David Kern, 42, of Guyton, fled from Glynn County authorities who tried to detain him for a probation warrant violation.
Kinard said Glynn authorities followed the truck and as Kern raced through Jesup, Wayne County law enforcement personnel and Georgia State Patrol troopers joined the chase.
LPD units stopped traffic at the intersection of Highways 84 and 57 and cleared the highways to ensure the safety of city residents and other motorists, Kinard said. The Chevrolet truck sped into Ludowici city limits with several law enforcement vehicles in pursuit.
As the truck turned right onto Highway 57 and headed toward Townsend, a Georgia State Patrol trooper forced the vehicle off the road, Kinard said. Kern ran the truck through the fence at Fowler’s Service Station and several cruisers boxed him in.
Even though the law enforcement officers drew their weapons, Kern tried to drive off, but LPD Officer Michael Taylor blocked the truck from leaving. Kinard said Kern tried to flee on foot but Long County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Andy Young Tasered the suspect. Kern was then arrested.
The incident was turned over to the Georgia State Patrol for processing. Liberty County GSP office administrator Lynne Simpson said Kern was charged with reckless driving, driving with a suspended or revoked license, not wearing a seat belt, DUI, and fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer.