Georgia deputy injured in serious crash during multi-county pursuit
(Turner County Sheriffs Office)
TURNER COUNTY, Ga. - A south Georgia law enforcement agency is asking for prayers for a deputy injured in a serious crash on Monday morning.
Officials with the Turner County Sheriff's Office say Deputy Nikolaus Herrick was injured during an early morning chase that started on Interstate 75.
According to the Georgia State Patrol, Herrick had tried to stop a red SUV near mile marker 72 in the southbound lanes of the interstate. The driver instead sped off, leading to a chase that entered the city of Tifton.
During the chase, the GSP reports that Herrick hit a tractor trailer while driving through an intersection. The truck then dragged the patrol vehicle around 25 feet after the crash.
The agency shared a photo of Herrick's patrol car, which had been completely smashed in the crash.
Officials say Herrick is in stable condition at a Macon hospital. The Turner County Sheriff's Office says surgeons found the damage "was more than originally damaged." He continues to recover at the hospital.
Officials are asking for Georgians to keep Herrick, his family, and fellow deputies in their prayers.
The other vehicle was later found abandoned and overturned in a ditch on Golf Street. Officials have not identified the driver.