Chase in Two Counties Leads to Arrest

A man faces charges in both Stephens and Franklin counties after leading officers from both counties on a chase overnight.

Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas said the chase began in Stephens County with Franklin County assisting.

Thomas said that Franklin County Sheriff’s Office deputies picked up the chase after encountering the vehicle Stephens County was looking for in the Martin area.

“Franklin County deputies met what we believed to be the vehicle in the Browns Road/Clarks Creek area,” said Thomas. “The vehicle spun out and attempted to re-gain its lane in the highway and struck one of the Franklin County deputies head on. It proceeded up Brown Road to 145/Toms Creek and proceeded north towards Stephens County, turned right on Sheriff Road,” said Thomas.

Thomas said officers continued to chase the vehicle with Stephens County back en route to assist.

According to Thomas, the chase at times reached in excess of 90 miles an hour.

Thomas said the chase ended when the vehicle went down Bruce Road and lost control, spinning sideways before being put into a ditch by authorities.

“The driver exited the vehicle and attempted to run on foot,” said Thomas. “Officers were able to apprehend the driver and arrest him. EMS was called to the scene to check the driver and the deputy. The deputy was OK. He was released at the scene. The driver was transported by Stephens County EMS to Sacred Heart in Lavonia. That is where he is at this time.”

Thomas said the driver, identified as Alton Lee Davidson, age unknown of Demorest, will be transported to the Franklin County Detention Center to face charges from both Franklin and Stephens counties.

(MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia contributed to this story)