Driver Pulled From Fiery Crash After Fleeing Traffic Stop: Police

WOODSTOCK, GA -- A motorist is expected to survive after he was pulled from a fiery crash following his refusal to pull over for a traffic stop late Friday evening, the Cherokee Sheriff's Office said.

Thomas Gregory Kolowich, 29, of Woodstock, is hospitalized at WellStar Kennestone Hospital following the accident on Interstate 575 near Highway 92.

The events unfolded around 9 p.m. Feb. 3 when a Cherokee sheriff's deputy attempted to pull over a Chevrolet truck that was driving erratically on Parkside Lane in Towne Lake, the agency said in a press release.

Cherokee Sheriff's Office spokesperson Lt. Jay Baker said the driver of the truck "refused to pull over and fled." In turn, the deputy made the choice not to chase the vehicle based on agency policy.

"Our agency, as many police agencies, has a policy that dictates when deputies can pursue a vehicle," Baker added. "There are several factors, including what the suspect is wanted for, are conditions safe to attempt a pursuit, etc. The public's safety is the main concern and often not pursuing is the safest choice."

The truck was last seen driving eastbound at a high rate of speed on Towne Lake Parkway towards the interstate.

Moments later, Cherokee County 911 dispatchers received a call of a single-vehicle accident on the southbound side of the interstate near Highway 92 involving the same truck.

According to the Georgia State Patrol, the truck, a 1978 Chevrolet C-10, was traveling in the far left lane when it left the roadway off the left shoulder. It traveled about 97 feet before hitting the concrete barrier wall, rotated counterclockwise and overturned. The truck continued to travel another 57 feet before striking another concrete barrier wall.

The driver, later identified as Kolowich, was ejected from the truck, and came to a rest in the grass off the left shoulder on the southbound side of the interstate.

Baker noted the truck became fully engulfed in flames at the time of the impact. Another Cherokee sheriff’s deputy and Woodstock police officers arrived at the scene and pulled Kolowich away from the burning wreckage.

Cherokee sheriff’s corporal Joseph Arena and Woodstock police Sgt. Ron Sinfelt, officer Josh Collie and officer Joshua Buckner performed CPR on Kolowich until Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services arrived.

Kolowich was transported to the hospital by Cherokee fire crews. Arena was also transported to Kennestone for treatment of smoke inhalation and released.

Baker said suspected methamphetamine was located in the wreckage. The Georgia State Patrol, which is investigating the crash, has charged Kolowich with driving under the influence, failure to maintain lane and and driving without a seatbelt.

Images via Cherokee Sheriff's Office