A missing man whose vehicle was involved in a wreck while pursued by Newnan police over the weekend was found dead Thursday afternoon.
Willie Jerel Stargell, 23, was found submerged in a creek in a wooded area off of Ball Street, police said.
Authorities searched the area after Stargell’s father reported him missing. Willie Lewis Stargell on Wednesday said he hadn’t seen his son since Dec. 10, and he knew a white GMC Jimmy similar to his son’s had been involved in a weekend crash.
On Sunday just before 3 a.m., a vehicle registered to the younger Stargell had collided with a street sign on Ball Street while being pursued by Newnan police. Five people jumped out of the vehicle and ran into the woods or a nearby apartment complex. One was caught.
Willie Jerel Stargell’s body was found during Thursday’s search. The cause and manner of death have not been determined.
The case is under investigation and an autopsy will be performed at the GBI Crime Lab in Atlanta.
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