(WTXL) — UPDATE 3:37 p.m.: The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office in Valdosta, Georgia provided a statement on the incident Thursday afternoon to WTXL ABC 27 News.
The sheriff's office said at 7:30 a.m., its deputies assigned to the interstate Criminal Enforcement Unit attempted to stop a red Honda Accord for illegal window tint.
The stop was attempted on Interstate 75 near the 12 mile marker southbound in Lake Park, Georgia, which is in Lowndes County.
After the vehicle was stopped, the deputy made contact with the driver and the driver of the vehicle accelerated the vehicle, which led to a pursuit.
During the pursuit, the sheriff's office said the driver of the vehicile attempted to strike one of the deputies.
The chase left Lowndes County and into the state of Florida where deputies used the precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver to end the pursuit.
According to the sheriff's office, the pursuit led to a vehicle crash, where the driver of the vehicle sustained injuries from the crash.
The driver of the vehicle is receiving treatment at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.
The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office said the driver of the vehicle provided a California Driver's license, which showed no criminal history, but a further investigation revealed the driver was 41-year-old David Cooper of Florida.
Cooper had warrants from Florida and California.
The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office said Cooper had a large quantity of illegal narcotics in his possession.
The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office said Cooper will be charged with Aggravated Assault on Police Officer, Fleeing and attempting to elude, Narcotic Possession, and numerous traffic violations.
UPDATE 1:51 P.M.:
The Florida Highway Patrol said all lanes are open near the incident on Interstate 75.
INITIAL REPORT
An incident Thursday morning has altered traffic flow on Interstate 75 in Hamilton County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol’s live traffic and road condition report website, a vehicle crash with injuries on I-75 southbound near mile marker 466 has led to the left lane near the incident being blocked.
Traffic just north of the Hamilton Avenue I-75 exit has been impacted.
Traffic flow is restricted to the right lane, while northbound traffic has slowed down.
FHP was dispatched to the scene around 7:45 a.m. Thursday.
