The police have many tools in their arsenal when it comes to ending high-speed chases. Many are familiar with the use of spike strips, which are laid out ahead of a fleeing motorist. These strips shred the tires, eventually making it impossible to drive. Another tool that many police officers use is called the precision immobilization technique, often shortened to be called a pit maneuver. This is a maneuver where a police officer strikes the rear quarter of a fleeing vehicle with the front of their car, essentially causing the vehicle to spin out of control, often ending the pursuit. Many times, this is executed without injury, but there are times when either the fleeing motorist or police are injured.
The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reports on an officer injured after a pit maneuver ended after a chase that went through three counties.
An attempted traffic stop executed by a Holly Springs police officer launched a chase that proceeded through three counties on December 10th.
A Holly Springs police officer attempted to pull over a white van for a traffic violation. The van took off and four other Holly Springs officers, along with the Georgia State Patrol, joined in the pursuit as it made its way down I-575 to the I-75 interchange.
After about 15 miles, one of the officers executed a pit maneuver, sending the van head first into the median wall. Two suspects jumped out of the van before it burst into flames, fleeing on foot.
The Holly Springs officer who executed the pit maneuver was taken to Kennestone Hospital. He was suffering from minor injuries.
Once the fire was extinguished, officers recovered stolen items from the van.
The two suspects who fled from the van are still at large.
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