Police chase ends with subject jumping off bridge into Augusta Canal

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A police chase ended with the subject jumping off a bridge, into the Augusta Canal on Monday night.

According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy observed a white Chevrolet Blazer with a Georgia tag around 6 p.m. The deputy says the registration was “improper,” and attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle.

Deputies say the driver failed to yield and continued to flee into Richmond County on Davis Road.

Deputies say the vehicle struck a traffic pole at Walton Way Extension at the Interstate 20 eastbound ramp before getting onto the interstate and fleeing east.

Deputies say just past exit 200, the subject turned over the median and started traveling westbound on I-20.

The subject bailed from the vehicle on the over of the Augusta Canal, and then jumped over the railing and into the canal.

The deputy pursuing the subject says he last saw the subject swimming underneath the over.

Deputies say he was a white male, in his mid- to late 30s and approximately 6 feet tall.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office located tracks on the bank of the canal, deployed a K-9 unit, and they tracked south between the Savannah River and the canal. The track was eventually lost.

An investigation is ongoing. If you have any information, call the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1000.

Copyright 2021 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.