Accident – Death – Obituary News : A man wanted in three counties found himself behind bars following a dramatic chase through Habersham and Stephens counties Thursday night, March 14, sheriff’s office officials say.
Dakota Meister, a 29-year-old man from Dawsonville, was arrested after a chase that spanned miles through the counties of Habersham and Stephens.
The chase began when a Habersham County deputy tried to pull over a Yamaha YZF600 motorcycle at 10:17 p.m. on GA 365 southbound near Demorest’s Double Bridge Road. The motorcycle, driven by Meister, ignored the attempt and sped off at high speeds, heading north on GA 365.
The pursuit continued north on GA 365, with Meister running through a construction zone at Hulsey Road before driving onto Dicks Hill Parkway and Ayersville Road near Hazel Grove Elementary School.
During the chase, two Habersham County sheriff’s deputies were involved in a wreck on Ayersville Road while pursuing the motorcycle. One patrol vehicle hit a traffic sign, while another patrol vehicle overturned onto its driver’s side after striking a tree. The names of the deputies involved in the wreck have not been released by the State Patrol.
The motorcycle doubled back, leading the chase onto Dicks Hill Parkway, Rock Road, Antioch Church Road, and Talmadge Drive, eventually entering Stephens County. The pursuit continued into Toccoa, where Habersham County units called off the chase at the Jeanette Jamieson Intersection, while Stephens County deputies and state troopers continued the pursuit on Dicks Hill Parkway.
After an extensive search involving K-9 units and a drone, Meister was located off Ben Loudermilk Road and taken into custody without further incident. He now faces charges from the three agencies involved in the pursuit, as well as outstanding warrants in the three counties where he was wanted before the chase. The nature of the prior charges has not been disclosed by officials.
Meister was transported to Stephens County Hospital with possible minor injuries, as reported by the Georgia State Patrol. The deputy involved in the crash sustained minor injuries as well. Meister was booked at the Stephens County Jail.
This incident marks at least the third high-speed chase in Habersham County this month. On March 4, a Demorest man tragically shot and killed himself after a chase with law enforcement, and on March 8, state troopers pursued a driver into Habersham County following a traffic stop.
As authorities continue to address these dangerous situations, it is crucial for individuals to prioritize safety and adhere to law enforcement instructions to avoid putting themselves and others at risk..