A Hall County, Georgia, traffic stop turned into a high-speed pursuit Tuesday evening after deputies said a driver found asleep in a running car drove away from a sheriff’s deputy. According to WSB-TV, the driver was later identified as 28-year-old Joey Levi Ledbetter, of Commerce. The chase ended in a five-vehicle crash at McEver Road and Flat Creek Road in Gainesville.
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office said a deputy first approached a Buick Verano in the driveway of the Chattahoochee Baptist Association Building shortly before 6 p.m. Witnesses had reported that a driver appeared to be passed out behind the wheel of a running vehicle. The deputy found the vehicle in drive, with Ledbetter’s foot on the brake.
Because the doors were locked, the deputy knocked on the windows until Ledbetter woke up. The deputy ordered him to put the vehicle in park so they could speak. Instead, officials said Ledbetter drove away from the scene at a high rate of speed.
The deputy followed Ledbetter southbound on McEver Road. At one point, Ledbetter stopped in a left travel lane near Browns Bridge Road, according to AccessNorthGA. As the deputy pulled beside him and began getting out of his patrol vehicle, officials said Ledbetter steered left and struck the front bumper of the patrol car.
How the Hall County Pursuit Ended
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office said Ledbetter continued south on McEver Road after hitting the patrol car. Officials said he ran a red light and drove in a dangerous and reckless manner. According to WGTJ Radio, deputies reported that he failed to maintain his lane, improperly passed other vehicles, and cut off drivers in traffic.
The pursuit ended at McEver Road and Flat Creek Road after officials said Ledbetter ran another red light. The Georgia State Patrol said his Buick struck the rear driver’s side of a Toyota Avalon driven by 71-year-old Sharon Gaddy, of Gainesville. The impact caused the Avalon to rotate into a stopped Tesla Model 3, while a tire from the Avalon separated and struck a Ford Econoline and a Chevrolet Bolt.
What Charges Is Ledbetter Facing?
Ledbetter was arrested at the scene after his vehicle traveled through the intersection and came to rest off the roadway. The Georgia State Patrol said Ledbetter, Gaddy, and Gaddy’s passenger, 62-year-old Randall Smith, were taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. A passenger in the Chevrolet Bolt was not injured.
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office charged Ledbetter with felony aggravated assault on an officer, felony fleeing and eluding, hit and run, obstruction, failure to obey a traffic device, driving on a suspended license, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving, and a tire conditions violation. The Georgia State Patrol also charged him with driving under the influence and other traffic offenses related to the pursuit and crash. As of the latest reports, Ledbetter remained in the Hall County Jail with no bond on the aggravated assault charge.