High-speed motorcycle chase through Rabun ends in wreck, driver faces charges

(WDUN) — A Griffin man who fled from police on a motorcycle in two states Friday afternoon was arrested following a head-on collision with a patrol car.

Nicholas Sebastian Williamson, 22, faces numerous charges resulting from the chase involving his green 2015 Kawasaki 300 motorcycle.

The pursuit started in Macon County, N.C., and ended on U.S. 441 in Habersham County.

Officers in Macon County, N.C., attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the motorcycle, which fled and continued into Georgia.

Rabun County deputies backed off the motorcyclist in Tiger according to Rabun County Sheriff’s Office Clerk Kim Rodriguez. Habersham County deputies made contact with Williamson in the area of Hollywood just after 3:30 p.m.

Three Habersham County deputies attempted to conduct a box-in maneuver to slow the motorcycle before it reached heavier traffic.

When the patrol car in front of the motorcycle began to slow, the motorcycle struck the back of the patrol car, causing Williamson to lose control and lay the bike down on the highway.

According to Sr. Trooper John Crawford of Georgia State Patrol Post 7, who investigated the Habersham County wreck, he estimated the speed at impact to be somewhere around 80 to 90 mph.

Williamson suffered a serious laceration to the back of his head, a gash on his elbow requiring stitches, a finger injury and scrapes, cuts and bruises, according to Crawford. He was taken by ambulance to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, where he was treated and released.

Williamson was booked into the Habersham County Detention Center late Friday night, and remained there Sunday.

The chase in Habersham County traveled less than five miles and lasted only two to three minutes, Crawford said.

Crawford said Williamson faces a Family Violence Act warrant out of Georgia from about four years ago, which resulted in his license being suspended when he failed to appear for court.

Crawford charged with driving under the influence of drugs (pending) and following too closely related to the collision.

Williamson is charged by Habersham County Sheriff’s Office with felony fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and a number of misdemeanors, including: speeding in excess of maximum limits, reckless driving, no proof of insurance for a motorcycle, expired or no registration or title, improper passing on right, driving while license withdrawn, exhaust system violation, defective tires, and failure to maintain lane, according to detention center records.