By Trend News Line 2024-05-09 13:48:45.
The High-Speed Chase on Interstate 85
Two separate incidents unfolded on Interstate 85 near Lavonia yesterday, leaving a trail of destruction and injuries in their wake. The first incident involved a high-speed chase on Interstate 85 Northbound, which resulted in two people sustaining serious injuries. The driver, identified as Jovontae Marquelle Hill, 31, of La Mesa, California, led law enforcement officers on a dangerous pursuit that ended in a violent crash near mile marker 175.
As Troopers from Post 52 (Hartwell) attempted to apprehend the fleeing 2023 GMC Yukon, a Trooper executed a PIT maneuver, causing the vehicle to overturn multiple times. The driver was arrested, while the injured occupants, including a six-month pregnant woman, were attended to by emergency responders. Tragically, despite efforts to save the unborn child, it did not survive. The driver faces multiple charges, including felony fleeing and feticide by vehicle.
During the investigation at the crash site, a Trooper suffered a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital for treatment. The Trooper is currently recovering in the CICU, highlighting the risks law enforcement officers face in the line of duty.
The Kidnapping and Fiery Crash
In a parallel incident on Interstate 85 Southbound, a kidnapping suspect, identified as Joshua Bennett Dornellas, 32, of Anderson, South Carolina, led authorities on a harrowing chase. With a 3-year-old child in the vehicle, Dornellas threatened to harm the child, prompting law enforcement to intervene.
As the pursuit crossed state lines into Georgia, a Box-In maneuver was attempted to stop the suspect. However, as smoke filled the vehicle from a fire started by Dornellas, he made a daring escape through the driver’s window, leaving the child behind. The vehicle crashed and caught fire, with the child suffering severe burns.
Emergency responders managed to rescue the child from the burning vehicle and airlifted them to a specialized burn center for critical care. Dornellas was apprehended and taken to a local medical facility for treatment of his injuries. Charges against him are pending, with a detailed investigation underway to determine the full extent of his criminal actions.
A Tragic Turn of Events
News reports from Anderson, SC, shed light on the events leading up to Dornellas’ violent rampage, including the assault on the child’s mother and the subsequent kidnapping. The shocking nature of these incidents underscores the importance of swift and decisive action by law enforcement to protect the public from dangerous individuals.
Both cases are under investigation, with authorities working tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice and provide support to the victims of these senseless acts of violence. As the community grapples with the aftermath of these tragic events, the dedication and bravery of law enforcement officers shine through in their efforts to keep the public safe.
WNEG and sister station WLHR will continue to follow these developing stories and provide updates as new information becomes available. The impact of these incidents reverberates through the community, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face in their unwavering commitment to uphold the law and protect the innocent.
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– I-85 pursuits and crashes
– Updates on I-85 pursuits and crashes yesterday.