Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Conducting Investigation after Monday Afternoon Pursuit

(Walhalla, SC)-------------------------------------The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation after a pursuit concluded in the city of Westminster this afternoon.

At around 3:46pm today, the E-911/Communications Center was notified that the Stephens County (GA) Sheriff’s Office was involved in a pursuit with a motorcycle.  Dispatch had received information that the motorcycle was reportedly stolen.  The pursuit continued into the city of Westminster, where Deputies from the Uniform Patrol Bureau of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office began assisting the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office with the pursuit. 

The driver of the motorcycle, a male, attempted to turn onto Westminster Highway, where the driver of the motorcycle lost control and had an accident.  The driver then fled from the scene and began resisting arrest when caught by pursuing Deputies. 

After a preliminary investigation, it appears the driver of the motorcycle had gasoline on his person as a result of the accident.  The subject continued resisting arrest.  Deputies utilized a Taser to gain control of the subject at which time the subjects shirt caught fire.  Deputies immediately began to provide assistance to extinguish the fire and to remove the subject’s burning clothing.  The driver of the motorcycle was transported by helicopter from the scene for further treatment and evaluation of his injuries. 

Two Deputies involved in the arrest received minor burns and injuries and were treated and released from Oconee Memorial Hospital. 

Further investigation has revealed that the man had left from a work detail where he was a sentenced inmate in Hall County (GA).

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation and further information will be released at the appropriate time, which includes the name of the driver of the motorcycle and any local charges that may be filed.  The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the accident portion of this incident.