High Speed Chase on I-85 in NE Ga. Leads to Charges Against S. Carolina Man

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

An Abbeville, South Carolina man is behind bars in Greenville after leading Georgia authorities on a high-speed chase last week.

It happened last Wednesday night.

Banks County Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Sergeant Carissa McFaddin said it began on Interstate 85 Northbound near Banks Crossing.

“We were conducting a motor vehicle accident investigation at the time when another vehicle came upon the scene,” McFaddin said. “That vehicle attempted to avoid the accident scene and almost caused another accident by almost hitting another vehicle head-on.”

McFaddin said the pursuit continued into Franklin County.

Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas said when the chase entered his county, his officers took up the pursuit.

“Deputies were set up at the 166 Exit with stop sticks, but the driver eluded the stop sticks,” Thomas said. “So deputies assisted Banks County in the chase.”

Thomas went on to say that the suspect continued to speed up I-85 Northbound through Hart County and over the state line into South Carolina where he got off the Interstate at Exit 14 inside Anderson County.

“Carolina set up stop sticks at the Walgreens past the airport,” Thomas said. “They were able to deflate the tires. Franklin County and Anderson County Sheriff’s deputies were able to box the suspect in.”

McFaddin said the suspect was arrested without further incident, but it was discovered the driver was wanted in South Carolina.

“The suspect has been identified as Ontavious Plummer of Abbeville, SC,” McFaddin said. “He was wanted in Greenville County for aggravated assault.”

McFaddin said Banks County will be taking out multiple traffic violation charges against Plummer.