High-Speed Pursuit Ends in Arrest of Suspected Drunk Driver

A Dacula man is facing numerous charges in connection with a Dec. 6 incident in Barrow County.

Just before 1 a.m., a deputy on patrol noticed a truck pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone on Atlanta Highway. The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the truck, but the driver did not pull over. As the truck passed Walmart, the driver turned off his headlights and did a u-turn just east of Ed Hogan Road. The deputy followed and noticed the truck accelerate "rapidly."

"I noticed the vehicle passing Wal-Mart and the vehicle was observed on my speedometer which is calibrated and certified at one hundred and ten miles (110) [miles] per hour," the deputy wrote in the report.

The deputy notified dispatch of the pursuit and followed the truck toward Auburn, continuing at speeds up to 110 mph according to the arrest report.

The driver of the truck, later identified as 27-year-old Matthew Edward Wade of Dacula, reportedly nearly lost control of the vehicle in a curve near Matthew School Road. Wade allegedly hit his brakes several times with the patrol car directly behind him before attempting to do a u-turn and head back toward Winder.

"As he was attempting to do this u-turn it was noticed he was not going to swing out wide enough and was noticed coming towards my driver side doors," the deputy wrote. "I pulled forward to prevent being struck by the truck. The driver then was noticed going back in the grass and up the hill to attempt to either continue towards Auburn or do another u-turn. The vehicle was noticed spinning the tires in the mud while the driver was accelerating the vehicle to only get it more stuck in the mud."

The deputy exited his patrol car with his gun drawn and ordered Wade out of the truck. Wade exited on the passenger side of the truck and then ran. The deputy holstered his gun and ran after Wade. An unspecified period of time later, the deputy found Wade already on the ground on his stomach with his hands behind his head and fingers crossed. The deputy handcuffed Wade and led him back to the patrol car.

While walking back to the patrol car, the deputy noticed a strong odor of alcoholic beverage on Wade. When asked how much he had to drink, Wade reportedly replied, "Nothing." After being read the Miranda Warning, Wade refused to answer any questions. He also refused to take the state administered breath test.

During an impound inventory of the truck, the deputy located an open Stout 21 Margarita within reach of the driver's seat.

Wade was booked into the Barrow County Jail on charges of passing in a no passing zone, reckless driving, open container, headlight violation, unlawful u-turn, speeding, failure to maintain lane, DUI and felony fleeing and eluding for traveling 110 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone.

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