Augusta, GA

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

Published

2 years ago

January 1, 2024

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.

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.

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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.”

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.

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.

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.

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

Trump to sign emergency order to pay TSA agents as Augusta airport preps for golf week

Published

7 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Trump to sign emergency order to pay TSA agents as Augusta airport preps for golf week

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – President Donald Trump said he will sign an emergency declaration to pay TSA agents, as nearly 500 have quit since the shutdown began.

More than 40 percent of Atlanta’s TSA agents did not show up on Wednesday, leading to long lines at Atlanta’s airport and across the country. It is unclear when President Trump will sign the emergency order. TSA workers will miss their second paycheck Friday.

In a statement on Truth Social, President Trump said, “I am going to sign an Order instructing the Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, to immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation.”

The president thanked TSA agents. The Department of Homeland Security as a whole will not be funded at this time. The Coast Guard and FEMA are among the agencies still impacted.

If senators do not reach a deal to fund the department on Friday, they are set for a two-week recess.

Augusta airport prepares for tournament week

TSA workers are a concern as tournament week approaches in Augusta. Security and safety are also concerns after a plane collided with a fire truck at LaGuardia Airport.

Augusta Regional Airport and its fire department are working to keep visitors safe as they fly in for tournament week.

William Kovalchuk, a sergeant with the Augusta Airport Fire Department, operates an airport-specific fire truck.

“There’s a ton of traffic and a ton of congestion. This whole ramp area where I showed you guys a little bit ago, it’ll be completely filled with aircraft,” Kovalchuk said.

Tournament week sees the regional airport become a global hub, with flights in from 13 extra cities and more than 200 private planes parked on the tarmac.

Lauren Smith, deputy director of Augusta Regional Airport, said the airport works closely with the FAA during tournament week.

“During that time, we actually work very closely with the FAA to bring in additional controllers,” Smith said.

Extra controllers keep the airspace and runway safe. Enhanced safety measures are in place inside the terminal as well.

“Overall, everyone brings in more staff. The tenants, the rental car agencies, the airlines, the airport itself,” Smith said.

The fire department stages a second station across the airport to cover every flight.

“The manning will be stepped up quite a bit,” Kovalchuk said. “We don’t want to see anything happen, but we’re prepared for it.”

The airport said the average wait time is still less than an hour to get through security during tournament week.

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Augusta, GA

Jefferson County library director named Georgia Library Director of the Year

Published

19 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Jefferson County library director named Georgia Library Director of the Year

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Georgia Library Director of the Year was honored at a ceremony in Jefferson County.

Christina Shepherd received the award and a county proclamation. Jefferson County officials also honored the library board during the ceremony.

“I’m very thankful. I think it’s great for Jefferson County to have this award brought here and bringing light to us,” Shepherd said. “I don’t think I do anything extraordinary that any librarian wouldn’t do, but I just keep doing it. I appreciate it. I’m thankful.”

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Augusta, GA

CSRA Habitat for Humanity gets $1.85M to build affordable housing in Augusta

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

CSRA Habitat for Humanity gets .85M to build affordable housing in Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity has been awarded $1.85 million to build new affordable homes in Augusta’s historic Turpin Hill neighborhood.

The federal funding was secured with the support of Georgia’s U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.

The funding will expand housing opportunities for working families and revitalize one of Augusta’s oldest communities.

“Turpin Hill is one of Augusta’s oldest and most storied neighborhoods, a community built by generations of hardworking families whose roots run deep in this city,” said Bernadette Kelliher, President and CEO of Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity.

“These new homes will reflect the strength of the neighborhood’s past while creating a foundation for families to build their futures. This is about restoration, dignity, and ensuring that the next generation can write their own chapter in this historic community.”

This federal investment strengthens ongoing efforts to expand affordable housing opportunities across Augusta.

“Georgia families urgently need more affordable housing. That’s why Senator Reverend Warnock and I brought Republicans and Democrats together to strengthen the Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to build new housing units for families across Augusta and the CSRA,” said Ossoff.

Senator Raphael Warnock added, “This investment demonstrates what is possible when Congress works together to support communities and families in need. We are in a housing crisis. America is not building enough housing and costs are continuing to soar.”

Since its founding in 1986, Augusta/CSRA Habitat for Humanity has partnered with families, volunteers and community supporters to build and preserve homes throughout the Central Savannah River Area.

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