GBI: Man dies after chase, shootout with S. Ga. officers

A man died late Friday after authorities said he led South Georgia police officers on a high-speed chase and then fired at them numerous times.

Ramone Dwight, 29, of Claxton, was shot during a gun battle with law enforcement officers in Evans County, the GBI said in a statement.

The incident started before 10:30 p.m. at a license checkpoint near Ga. 129 and Ga. 169 in Claxton, according to the GBI. Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies were conducting license checks when a Kia Rio pulled up to the checkpoint, officials said.

The driver, later identified as Dwight, told a Georgia State Patrol trooper that he did not have his license on him, the GBI said. He then gave the trooper a fake name.

The trooper went back to his patrol car to try to determine whether Dwight’s license was valid. When he walked back to the Kia and told Dwight to get out of the car, the man sped away from the checkpoint, the GBI said.

Police began chasing the Kia, and Dwight started shooting at the officers, according to the GBI. Several patrol vehicles were hit by the gunfire.

At some point during the chase, a woman was pushed out of the passenger side of the Kia. She was not seriously hurt, officials said.

The pursuit continued at speeds of more than 100 mph. According to the GBI, officers attempted to use PIT maneuvers to disable the Kia several times. The chase ended when Dwight lost control of the car.

When the vehicle stopped, Dwight got out and started running away while firing at the police officers, authorities said. An Evans County sheriff ’s deputy and a Hagan police officer both returned fire, and the man was hit.

Officers tried to provide the wounded man with medical aid and he was rushed to Evans Memorial Hospital, but ultimately Dwight died of his injuries. His body will be taken to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy.

A handgun was found at the scene of the incident. No officers were injured.

The incident is the 78th shooting involving a law enforcement officer the GBI has been asked to investigate this year.