Lamar County deputy injured, search for motorcyclist

LAMAR COUNTY, Ga. - Lamar County Deputy Bossie Davis is recovering from extensive knee and ankle surgery following a serious crash in Barnesville Sunday night. While his family remains at his side at Atlanta Medical Center, his colleagues are trying to find the motorcycle driver Davis and a colleague were chasing before the crash.

According to the Sheriff Brad White, the 10-mile pursuit through Barnesville happened just before 10 p.m. Sunday after deputies spotted the driver going 90 in 55 mph zone. As Davis and a fellow deputy followed the biker into a convenience store parking lot on Veterans Highway, the two deputies collided sending Davis' patrol car airborne through a tree line. He landed several feet below in an embankment.

"This shouldn't happen again. It didn't have to happen last night Not only was our deputy hurt, but this guy could have hurt himself or someone else out there on the road. This is why we tell people not to flee," Sheriff White said.

Deputy Michael Newman was also involved in the crash, but was not injured. Both of their mangled patrol vehicles now sit in a lot behind the Lamar County Sheriff's Office.

"Our officers are experienced and know how to evaluate the roadways and the risks and given the time of the chase, there wasn't a lot of traffic at the time. So, they followed our pursuit policy exactly the way they were supposed to. It was really frustrating to see Davis in the hospital in so much pain knowing he was just doing his job." said Major Leslie Holmes, who serves at the Lamar County's Chief Deputy.

Deputy Davis, 30, joined the Sheriff's Office five years ago and just completed his Master's Degree.

"The good thing is he's energetic and healthy and we know he's gonna be ok and back with us soon. But the driver of that motorcycle just needs to come on in and face the speeding and fleeing charges against him. It's the right thing to do," the Sheriff said.

The motorcycle authorities are searching for is all black with lights underneath. Anyone with information is asked to call the Lamar County Sheriff's Office at 770-358-5159.