COFFEE COUNTY, Ga. — A 24-year-old Waycross man was arrested Tuesday, October 20, following a high-speed pursuit through Coffee County that authorities say reached approximately 124 mph, passed through an active school zone and ended with the suspect’s vehicle overturning after a law enforcement maneuver.
According to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted to stop a vehicle matching the description of one reportedly involved in an altercation on Jeff Lewis Road.
The driver, identified as Laquavious Tequan Douglas, 24, of Waycross, allegedly refused to stop and fled from deputies.
Authorities said Douglas drove on the wrong side of the roadway and traveled through an active school zone during the pursuit, reaching speeds of approximately 124 mph.
Agents with the D.I.C.E. Unit joined the pursuit and performed a Precision Immobilization Technique, commonly known as a PIT maneuver, near Riverbend Estates Road. The maneuver brought the pursuit to an end when Douglas’s vehicle overturned.
A PIT maneuver involves a law enforcement vehicle making controlled contact with a fleeing vehicle to disrupt its direction of travel and bring it to a stop. The incident resulted in the closure of the northbound lanes of Highway 441 for approximately one hour while authorities worked at the scene. Douglas was transported for medical evaluation and, after being medically cleared, was taken to the Coffee County Jail.
According to the sheriff’s office, Douglas faces charges including:
- Felony fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer
- Reckless driving
- Failure to maintain lane
- Driving on the wrong side of the roadway
Authorities have not released additional details about the reported altercation that initially prompted deputies to attempt the traffic stop. Coffee County Sheriff Fred Cole issued a statement emphasizing the dangers associated with high-speed pursuits, particularly when other motorists and school zones are involved.
The sheriff said his office would not tolerate reckless behavior that places residents, children or law enforcement officers at risk. The incident remains a reminder of the potential dangers created when drivers attempt to evade law enforcement, especially in areas where children and other motorists may be present. Authorities have not reported any injuries in connection with this pursuit.
Douglas was booked into the Coffee County Jail following the incident.
All charges are allegations, and Douglas is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: Coffee County Sheriff’s Office; additional details corroborated by WALB.
