Chase Leads to Two Arrests in Franklin Co.

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

A high-speed chase through Franklin County last week leads to more arrests.

It happened on Wednesday, August 12.

Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas said that deputies with his office and Georgia State Patrol troopers from the Hartwell post attempted to stop a 2011 Nissan Altima traveling on Interstate 85 that fit the description of a stolen vehicle out of North Carolina.

Thomas said a chase ensued after the Altima refused to stop.

According to authorities, the vehicle got off the interstate at Exit 177 and traveled down Whitworth Road before going off the road and crashing into some trees.

Authorities said at that point, two people jumped out of the Altima and ran, but were both eventually arrested.

Those two people are identified as Deandra Jackson and Joshua Howard, both of Asheville, North Carolina.

Jackson faces charges of Theft by Receiving a Motor Vehicle, Theft by Bringing Stolen Property into the state, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of Marijuana Less Than One Ounce, and numerous traffic violations.

Howard also faces numerous charges.

Authorities said a 15-year-old from South Carolina was also in the stolen Altima.

That juvenile was released into the custody of her familiy.