A Marietta man was charged with aggravated assault and a host of other crimes after leading Fayette deputies on an April 3 car chase across portions of Fayette County.
Dontavious Watkins, 23, was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, felony fleeing/attempting to elude, obstruction of a police officer, driving while license suspended or revoked, expired registration, window tint violation, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident and interference with or destruction of government property, said Sheriff Barry Babb.
The passenger in Watkins’ vehicle, 23-year-old Dezje Williams, of Morrow, was charged with obstruction, said Babb.
Babb said deputies on April 3 attempted to stop a vehicle traveling north on Ga. Highway 92 in unincorporated Fayette County. The vehicle failed to stop and led deputies on a short pursuit traveling north on Highway 92 toward Fayetteville.
“The perpetrator turned onto Lace Court, a dead end street. At the end of the road, the deputy stopped short to prevent the suspect vehicle from reversing direction in the cul-de-sac,” Babb said. ”Instead of stopping, the driver turned the car around and struck the deputy’s driver side door as he drove past him. The driver then got back onto Hwy. 92 and made several evasive moves until he turned onto Lockwood Drive where he then attempted to drive into the woods. After striking a tree head-on, the driver and a passenger exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.”
Babb said Williams was caught by a pursuing deputy. He first refused to comply with the officers commands but became compliant after the deputy deployed his Taser.
Watkins continued to run after his passenger was apprehended, said Babb.
“Within minutes, a resident of Strafford Court saw a suspicious male running on his street and called 911. It was obvious to the caller that the male was running from something,” said Babb. ”Deputies quickly responded and took Watkins into custody.”
Babb said it is not known why Watkins led deputies on the chase. A search of the vehicle revealed a GPS device leading the men to an address in College Park.
“It appears the suspects were passing through Fayette County on their way to an apartment complex on Godby Road in College Park. Even when you are using GPS you can still make a wrong turn,” said Babb.
