Driver Arrested After Stolen Vehicle Pursuit Ends in Lake Jump

HART COUNTY, Ga. — A Hart County man was arrested Sunday after authorities say he led law enforcement on a pursuit in a stolen vehicle before crashing and jumping into a lake in an attempt to escape.

According to Hart County Sheriff Chris Carroll, a white 2017 Subaru Outback was reported stolen during the early morning hours of May 24 from the Ridge Road area of Hart County. A lookout for the vehicle was issued to surrounding law enforcement agencies.

Just after noon, a Georgia State Patrol trooper located the stolen vehicle traveling on Highway 17 in Lavonia and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. Authorities said the driver fled, leading troopers on a pursuit.

The chase ended when the vehicle crashed into a guardrail on Gumlog Road near a bridge. Investigators said the driver then exited the vehicle and jumped into the lake in an effort to evade officers.

Deputies with the Hart County Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Lavonia Police Department reportedly used a nearby boat to reach the suspect and safely remove him from the water.

The driver was identified as 29-year-old Sean Austin Mays. Mays is currently being held in the custody of the Hart County Sheriff’s Office and has been charged with felony theft by taking and felony entering auto.

Additional charges, including felony fleeing and attempting to elude along with several traffic-related offenses, are expected to be filed by the Georgia State Patrol in Franklin County.

Agencies assisting in the incident included the Georgia State Patrol, Lavonia Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, and Hart County deputies and investigators.

The investigation remains ongoing.