After firing shots at a Cherokee County deputy earlier Thursday, the same man led another deputy on a chase through Pickens County before wrecking his SUV, officials said.
Joey Donaldson, 37, of Canton, faces charges of aggravated assault on a police officer and fleeing and attempting to elude after he fired shots a deputy during a traffic stop, Cherokee County sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Jay Baker said in a news release.
Just before 4 a.m., the deputy attempted to stop Donaldson in his Chevrolet Blazer on Salacoa Road in northern Cherokee County.
Donaldson refused to stop and fired 10 to 12 rounds at the deputy as he sped away, Baker said. None of the shots hit the patrol car or the deputy, who lost sight of the SUV but was able to identify the tag number.
Using that number, authorities went to the registered owner’s home, who confirmed the SUV was sold to Donaldson.
Later Thursday morning, deputies received a tip Donaldson was spotted in Pickens County near Ga. 515 and Philadelphia Road. While waiting for backup, a Dodge pickup truck, possibly driven by Donaldson, exited the road and blew through a stop sign.
The deputy attempted to pull Donaldson over, but he refused to stop and led the deputy on a chase on Ga. 515 that continued onto Ga. 316, Baker said.
As the two traveled over the bridge on Ga. 316, the suspect threw a locked box out of the window, then lost control of the SUV before leaving the road, Baker said. The driver, later identified as Donaldson, was ejected from the SUV.
Donaldson was taken to Piedmont Mountainside Hospital. He was later transferred to WellStar Kennestone Hospital.
When Donaldson is released from the hospital, Baker said he will face additional charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana less than an ounce and fleeing and attempting to elude in Pickens County.
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