Hart County Man Arrested on DUI, Fleeing Charges After High-Speed Pursuit

HART COUNTY, Ga. – A Hartwell man was arrested on multiple charges after deputies said he fled from a traffic stop and reached speeds of more than 85 mph during a pursuit in Hart County.

According to the Hart County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy was patrolling Lavonia Highway near Ankerich Road shortly after 11 p.m. Oct. 17 when he observed a blue 2022 Nissan Frontier traveling toward Hartwell without its headlights or taillights illuminated.

The deputy turned around and activated his emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop. The driver turned on the vehicle’s headlights but allegedly refused to stop and began fleeing.

During the pursuit, the driver reached speeds exceeding 85 mph, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies said the driver also passed a tractor-trailer and two passenger vehicles in a no-passing zone, creating a hazard for other motorists.

The driver eventually pulled into a location at 380 Lavonia Highway, where authorities said he appeared to be attempting to hide from deputies. He was located shortly afterward and taken into custody without further incident.

The driver was identified as Blake Andrew Hix, 25, of Hartwell.

During the subsequent investigation, the deputy reported detecting a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. Deputies also found an open container inside the vehicle that had spilled, according to the sheriff’s office.

Hix was arrested and charged with felony fleeing and eluding, DUI-second offense, reckless driving, headlights required at certain times, open container violation, too fast for conditions, failure to maintain lane and passing in a no-passing zone.

Sheriff Chris Carroll credited the deputy with removing what the department described as a dangerous driver from the roadway before anyone was seriously injured.

The charges are allegations, and Hix is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.