A Georgia State Patrol trooper fatally shot a man after a chase early Saturday in Polk County, the GBI said.
During a DUI patrol on Fish Creek Road about 12:15 a.m., a vehicle tried to elude troopers, GBI spokesman Greg Ramey said in a news release.
Troopers pursued the vehicle until it was stopped at Collard Valley Road and Old Collard Valley Road, Ramey said.
A passenger got out of the vehicle after the chase, and Trooper Johnathan Mason made contact with the driver, identified as Jason Dennis Watkins, 36, the GBI said. Watkins accelerated the vehicle, and during the encounter, Mason shot Watkins.
Watkins was taken to Polk County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Ramey said. An autopsy will be performed at the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur.
The GBI will investigate the incident at the GSP’s request, Ramey said. The results will be turned over to the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office for review.
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