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Augusta, GA

Did trooper follow the rules in chase that ended with fiery crash?

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Did trooper follow the rules in chase that ended with fiery crash?


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A newly released dashcam video shows what happened when a Georgia State Patrol trooper pursued a speeder and ultimately crashed into the entrance sign at News 12, where the patrol car went up in flames.

No suspect was ever caught in the late Dec. 9 pursuit that began on Washington Road after the trooper took off after a Mustang was traveling 81 mph in a 45 mph zone.

The trooper tried to make a U-turn, but was stopped by another car.

By the time he was able to turn, the Mustang was already out of sight.

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From Washington Road, the chase went north on Alexander Drive, with the trooper picking up speed.

He weaved around several cars, then barrelled through a red light at a known busy intersection, Riverwatch Parkway, where Alexander becomes Cabela Drive.

MORE FROM NEWS 12:

After traveling past Riverwatch, the GSP vehicle “began to yaw” for 82 feet before striking a concrete median near the News 12 driveway, according to an accident report.

The patrol car then traveled 88 feet farther, striking the west curb and then leaving the roadway, hitting the stop sign at the News 12 entrance and then ultimately slamming into the station’s stone sign that features an animated display. There, the car came “to an uncontrolled rest facing west.”

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The vehicle burst into flames, destroying the car and damaging the sign. The car and sign were heavily damaged, but injuries to the trooper, Tyler Crowe, were minor.

He was able to get out and call for help.

“All good. All good. I’m up walking,” the video records him saying. “I have a nosebleed. Car’s totaled.”

This diagram with the accident report shows the car’s rough trajectory.

This diagram shows what happened when a Georgia State Patrol trooper pursued a speeder and ultimately crashed into the entrance sign at News 12, where the patrol car went up in flames.(Contributed)

Weighing the risks

The Georgia State Patrol’s current pursuit policy is discretionary and mostly lets troopers decide when to launch a high-speed chase.

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Georgia law says officers should consider several factors when pursuing a chase, including the nature of the offense committed by the suspect and the potential danger to the public if the suspect is not immediately apprehended.

GSP doesn’t limit pursuits to violent crimes.

In the safety policy manual’s general pursuit procedures, the law permits troopers to speed and disregard traffic signals only if the officer exercises due regard for the safety of all people.

In the dashcam video, Crowe appears to blow through a red light while losing control of his vehicle.

The manual also says a pursuit should be terminated if the officer feels the risk outweighs the danger of the suspect escaping.

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And officers should stop the chase if the vehicle’s location is no longer definitely known.

A report recently released by the federal government strongly urges law enforcement agencies to reduce high-speed chases.

The U.S. Department of Justice report suggests pursuits should only take place when an officer is aware a violent crime has been committed or when the suspect poses an imminent threat to commit another violent crime.

According to annual reports produced by the Georgia Department of Public Safety, which oversees GSP, pursuits have increased over the past five years. That includes at least 1,673 GSP pursuits last year alone.

And according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, pursuits that turned deadly increased 41% from 2001 to 2021.

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During that period, 8,203 people died; 493 of those were from Georgia. Of those killed nationally, about 36% were innocent bystanders.

According to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, Crowe received four hours of training last year in “pursuit liability and due regard.”



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Augusta, GA

Augusta commissioners receive updates on apartment safety improvements, SPLOST 9

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Augusta commissioners receive updates on apartment safety improvements, SPLOST 9


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta commissioners received a progress report on safety improvements at two apartment complexes that promised upgrades in August.

Redwood Housing provided updates on work at the Bon Air and Richmond Summit apartments.

The attorney for the housing company said the upgrades at both complexes are close to completion, from renovations inside to new security measures. Commissioners heard a long list of changes being made at both complexes.

The sheriff’s office and code enforcement backed up the improvements, saying their calls at both complexes have decreased compared to six months ago.

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“We have to keep their feet to the fire. I’ve received a number of horror stories from people living in both properties, from it being 100 degrees outside, and they’re not having air conditioning, to 13-year-olds being gunned down because of the lack of safety precautions at these facilities,” said Jordan Johnson, District 1 commissioner. “And, the list of these issues just goes on. I think it’s our responsibility to make sure that people have quality and affordable housing.”

District 3 Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice said she has seen improvements at the properties.

“Some people might say they are putting lipstick on a pig, but if you ride by there and see what they are doing, it’s a heck of a lot better improvement than what was there six months ago,” Smith Rice said. “I feel like, though. I’ve had more of a better response with Redwood than I have in the past.”

Ongoing oversight planned

Commissioners said they will keep checking in with Redwood Housing, including regular updates and meetings that include the sheriff’s office.

Redwood Housing is hosting what they call a grand reopening for both the Bon Air and Richmond Summit on Feb. 4. That will be at 10 a.m. at the Bon Air and 2 p.m. at the Richmond Summit.

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SPLOST 9 discussions continue

City leaders are deciding how to spend sales tax dollars through the SPLOST 9 project list, which totals more than $300 million. The list includes money for jail renovations, new parks and road projects.

SPLOST 9 is a one-cent sales tax that would last six years. It includes $85 million to renovate the jail, but also includes money for parks, roads and sewer improvements.

For months, commissioners have debated what should make the list. Some commissioners said there needs to be more attention to infrastructure.

“We gotta be able to grow. And the only way you can grow is ensuring that your infrastructure, your sewers, and are expanded and improved appropriately,” said Don Clark, District 5 commissioner. “Roadways need to be improved. The sewers, we still have a lot of folks that are on septics. We gotta get ‘em out of that and get the sewer lines improved, not just for the residents, but even for the introduction of businesses into the environment as well.”

The SPLOST 9 project list goes to voters in May. Commissioners are still debating the details.

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Augusta, GA

Morning Show Co-Host

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Morning Show Co-Host


88.3 WAFJ in Augusta, Georgia, is looking for a Morning Show Co-Host to join our team. If you’re looking for stability, a wonderful community to call home and the opportunity to do live and local radio, you’ll find it all here. As the heritage Christian AC in the market, we have been encouraging the Central Savannah River Area for over three decades. This is a rare opportunity and one that you should inquire about if you are passionate about loving and ministering to listeners who become like family.

We need an engaging storyteller to join an existing partner on the morning show. The right candidate will know how to connect with our listeners through your faith and everyday life. This is not a voice-tracking opportunity. We are looking for someone willing to relocate and join us in actively serving our community. Great things are happening here, and we think you’ll enjoy being a part of them!

When applying for this position, you must have experience in broadcasting or podcasting. We are looking for a gifted communicator who loves Jesus and thrives in doing local ministry. If you meet those qualifications and are looking for a job that is fun, fulfilling and meaningful, then let’s chat.

To apply, send your resume, cover letter and demo to John Bryant at john@wafj.com.

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We are part of the Radio Training Network family of stations. Radio Training Network, Inc. (RTN) is a religious broadcaster, and all positions at RTN are subject to a religious qualification, including all positions at WAFJ-FM and WBIJ-FM. As a religious broadcaster, RTN makes reasonable, good faith efforts to recruit applicants without regard to race, color, national origin or gender among those who are qualified for employment based on their religious belief or affiliation.



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Augusta, GA

Former Richmond County deputy files complaint against district attorney

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Former Richmond County deputy files complaint against district attorney


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A state bar complaint was filed against Augusta’s district attorney by a former deputy who sued the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office alleging racial discrimination.

The complaint by Quincy Cannon alleges violation of a rule requiring fairness to opposing party and counsel.

The filing says District Attorney Jared Williams selectively granted access to grand jury materials during an investigation by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.

Augusta District Attorney Jared Williams(WRDW)

That’s an agency that accredits law enforcement officers in the state.

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Cannon alleged Williams helped a third-party investigator get and use evidence from secret grand jury proceedings against Cannon, while denying comparable access to Cannon’s attorney.

Although Cannon’s case was presented to a grand jury, the panel chose not to pursue criminal charges.

Quincy Cannon
Quincy Cannon(Contributed)

Cannon’s lawsuit claims he was treated unequally to white deputies who were also investigated over use of force.

A suspect in a deputy shooting accused several other deputies, including Cannon, of assaulting him in an elevator at the sheriff’s headquarters.



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