Cop didn’t chase 3 Augusta teens onto wrong side before deadly crash

The Blythe police officer who tried to pull over a speeding Mercury Sable with three Augusta teens inside did not follow them into the wrong side of the road Friday before the deadly crash, authorities said Saturday.

The high-speed chase in Richmond County ended tragically around 8 p.m. Friday, resulting in the fiery deaths of three young teens. The coroner says two of the victims are believed to be brothers.

The chain of events began when Blythe Officer Thomas Ray attempted to pull over a Mercury Sable for speeding 71 in a 55 mph zone. The driver of the Mercury, however, refused to stop and led the officer on a pursuit on Deans Bridge Road.

“As the vehicle approached the Bath Edie Road intersection, the violator entered the southbound lanes still traveling north, the Blythe PD Officer did not pursue the vehicle on the wrong side of the roadway,” according to the Georgia State Patrol. “After traveling north for approximately one mile, the violator struck a southbound truck head-on just north of the Etterle Road intersection. After the crash, the violator vehicle caught on fire and became engulfed in flames.”

Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but all three occupants of the Mercury were pronounced dead by the Richmond County Coroner’s Office. The identities of the deceased will be confirmed following an autopsy by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab, which could take weeks.

Meanwhile, the mother of at least one of the teens has posted photos online, asking for prayers for her and her mental health.

Shakeila Scott said she can’t handle the pain.

“It’s unreal,” she said with a broken heart emoji. “This right here has broke me. Them boys was my biggest strength, my world. I really wanna crash out but I got two other kids that needs me. I’m asking all my friends and family to pray for me and my mental health right now please.”

On Facebook, the Augusta, Georgia Fire/EMA posted photos of the aftermath of the crash along with a report on their involvement:

“At 7:53 p.m. (Friday), firefighters were dispatched to a motor vehicle fire at the intersection of Deans Bridge Road and Etterlee Road. Engine 7 was the first to arrive on the scene, encountering a fully involved vehicle fire. A column of smoke was visible en route, and dispatch confirmed reports of individuals entrapped inside the vehicle.

The vehicle fire was quickly extinguished. Unfortunately, three individuals were found inside the vehicle. Firefighters spent several hours safely extricating the victims from the severely damaged car.

Other agencies that responded to the scene included the Coroner, Georgia State Patrol (GSP), Blythe Police Department, and Central EMS. The occupants of the other vehicle involved in the accident were treated at the scene by Central EMS but declined transport to the hospital.

The cause of the accident and fire is currently under investigation.“

(If you have a memory or photo of the three teens to share, please text it to 803-487-3224.)