Braselton, Georgia — A high-speed chase that began in Jackson County after a tractor-trailer driver reported being shot at on Interstate 85 ended early Thursday morning in Banks County with deputies fatally shooting the suspect following an exchange of gunfire, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident appears to have stemmed from a case of road rage, authorities said. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office reported that the events originated in Braselton when a tractor-trailer driver contacted law enforcement to say his truck had been fired upon while traveling on I-85.
Deputies subsequently located the suspect’s vehicle and attempted to pull it over. The driver refused to stop and fled, sparking a pursuit that extended into Banks County.
During the chase, deputies deployed a PIT (Precision Immobilization Technique) maneuver on the suspect’s car along I-85 in an effort to bring it to a halt. At that point, authorities said the suspect opened fire on the deputies, prompting them to return fire. The suspect was killed in the shootout.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is now leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting. The suspect’s name has not yet been released.
A spokesperson for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the sequence of events, noting that the chase concluded with the fatal shooting of the suspect in Banks County.
No further details about the suspect or additional injuries were immediately available. The GBI typically handles investigations of officer-involved shootings in Georgia to ensure an independent review.
This incident marks the latest in a series of road rage-related events on Georgia highways, though authorities have not indicated any connection to other cases.
The investigation remains ongoing, with more information expected once the GBI completes its preliminary review.