A man drowned after fleeing a traffic stop in Tallulah Falls. The accident happened at 7:58 a.m. on Monday 7th June 2021. The body of a man, aged 32 was recovered from Tallulah River after daylong efforts by the search and rescue team.
The man was identified as Lazavier Shamar Cook from Athens. According to Georgia State Police, the incident occurred when a vehicle was stopped by a trooper due to speeding on GA 15/US 441. It was near Lofty Branch Road in Rabun County. Backup was immediately called by the trooper from the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office upon suspicion as he smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle.
Lt. Mark Riley GSP Public Information Officer further added that the trooper requested the female driver to exit the vehicle, when the female driver came out of the car, a male passenger jumped in the driver’s seat and fled away from the scene. It was revealed that Cook threw multiple packages out of the window while fleeing the traffic stop in Tallulah Falls. The trooper chased the suspect. The vehicle of the suspect hit an embankment and later struck the trooper’s vehicle before stopping. The police reported that Cook fled from the scene of the accident and ran away on foot towards the river.
The search was conducted by officers and a K9 unit from the Georgia Department of Corrections. The sheriff’s office reported that the location of the foot chase revealed the suspect might have drowned while crossing the river.
Before 4:30 p.m. on the same day, the body of Cook was found from the river by the Rabun County Search and Rescue team. Further investigations are still underway.
It is wise to know your rights through a Georgia DUI Attorney. We aim to protect your legal rights and provide you the help you need; as well as we can.
Source: https://nowhabersham.com/rabun-county-sheriff-suspect-fleeing-traffic-stop-drowns-in-river/