Photo: Savannah Police Department
ByJennifer Lifsey Published:Jun. 16, 2021 at 4:44 AM EDT
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah Police are investigating after a car crash sent one vehicle into a building overnight.
It happened around midnight at the intersection of West Victory Drive and Barnard Street. Savannah Police called out its Traffic Investigation Unit to look into what lead up to the wreck that sent one of the vehicles crashing into a SCAD Building, resulting in multiple injuries.
According to the Savannah Police Department, officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a black Buick sedan on 38th Street around 11 p.m. The driver, identified as Jerald Shawntheivus Johnson, 25, fled from officers at a high rate of speed. The driver was traveling on Barnard Street and ran a red light at Victory Drive, crashing into the passenger side of a red Buick Encore traveling westbound on Victory Drive. As a result of the impact, the Buick Encore spun and went across all lanes, coming to a final rest inside a SCAD building at 201 W. Victory Drive. The black Buick also stuck a wall of the same building.
Johnson and a 3-year-old passenger, who police say was not properly restrained in the vehicle, were transported to a hospital for treatment. The driver of the Buick Encore was also transported to a hospital for treatment of serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. No one in the building was injured.
Upon release from the hospital, Savannah Police charged Johnson with fleeing to elude, reckless driving, serious injury by motor vehicle, too fast for conditions, disregarding traffic control device, driving with a suspended or revoked license, failure to register vehicle, no proof of insurance, failure to stop at a stop sign, marijuana possession less than 1 oz., cruelty to children second degree, and felony habitual violator. Johnson also has warrants in four jurisdictions outside of Chatham County.
The crash remains under investigation.
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