PRESS RELEASE – On Wednesday, Aug. 14, a deputy with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office S.T.I.N.G. Unit conducted a traffic stop on a black in color Nissan Titan in reference to an incorrectly displayed tag.

The driver refused to stop which resulted in a vehicle pursuit into a neighboring county.

A K-9 search resulted in the discovery of illegal drugs in the vehicle. The driver also had multiple outstanding arrest warrants.

While patrolling Highway 17 near the Franklin County and Stephens County line, a deputy was notified by the FLOCK camera system of an expired tag in the area.

The tag did not match the vehicle on which it was displayed – a black in color Nissan Titan.

Due to this, the deputy located the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop near the intersection of Highway 17 and Avalon Road.

The driver of the vehicle began to slow to a stop, then suddenly accelerated to a high rate of speed.

The deputy then initiated a pursuit of the vehicle. The driver, later identified as 57-year-old Tracy Holbrook of Carnesville, accelerated to speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour in an attempt to flee.

Holbrook recklessly maneuvered the vehicle across both lanes of a two-lane road, weaving through traffic, and taking dirt roads to kick up debris while attempting to elude the deputy.

The chase continued into Franklin County. Franklin County Sheriff’s Office had been notified of the pursuit and were staged at the intersection of Crumps Bridge Road and Highway 106.

Upon approaching the intersection, a Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy made contact with the front driver’s side wheel of Holbrook’s truck.

However, the truck was not disabled on impact, and Holbrook turned onto Highway 106 continuing to flee.

Deputies maintained their pursuit, following Holbrook onto Red Hill Road.

Due to traveling at a high rate of speed, the truck kicked up dust and debris, forming a dust cloud that impaired the deputy’s visibility.

Near Burnette Road, the SCSO deputy observed the dust cloud ended, and he no longer had eyes on the Nissan Titan.

Deputies made contact with an approaching SUV and the driver of the vehicle informed the deputy they had not passed the Nissan Titan in question.

The deputy requested backup from the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and Georgia State Patrol, informing them that the suspect was likely in the vicinity.

SCSO’s Lt. Kylar Jameson responded and was able to locate the vehicle behind 1980 Red Hill Road using a drone.

All units responded to the address and located the vehicle stuck on a mound of dirt in the backyard.

Due to the driver having fled, K-9 Lady was deployed to track Holbrook.

A relative of the homeowner responded from inside the house and allowed K-9’s Lady’s handler to clear the residence.

She advised the deputy that the truck belonged to Holbrook and provided his residential address and phone number, which was displayed on the rear window of the truck.

While K-9 Lady and her handler were attempting to track Holbrook, other deputies searched the vehicle.

Deputies located a small stash of pills and illegal drugs inside the vehicle, including two plastic baggies containing suspected methamphetamine, suspected buspirone hydrochloride and Tramadol, a glass bowl containing marijuana residue, and a glass pipe and digital scale both containing suspected methamphetamine residue.

Deputies responded to Holbrook’s address. They observed that vehicles in the yard were warm as if they were recently driven.

The primary SCSO deputy on the case also observed a white in color Mustang in the yard which matched the tag displayed on the Nissan Titan.

Deputies eventually made contact with the homeowner and relatives who denied knowing Holbrook’s whereabouts.

Deputies were given permission to clear the home and other buildings on the property.

Believing they may have found footprints behind the house, K-9 Lady was deployed again but could not find a track of the suspect, and drone footage displayed only animals nearby. Ultimately, deputies were unable to locate Holbrook.

Deputies completed the investigation and had Holbrook’s truck was towed to the impound lot at the Stephens County Jail.

Holbrook is now wanted with active arrest warrants for the following charges: two counts of Illegal Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession and Use of Drug Related Objects, Prescription Drugs Not in Their Original Containers, Failure to Maintain Lane, Speeding in Excess of State and Zone Speed Limits, and Removing or Affixing License Plate with Intent to Conceal or Misrepresent.