Motorcyclists fleeing from Oglethorpe deputy killed in collision with SUV in Athens

A motorcyclist fleeing a traffic stop by an Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s deputy was killed Thursday when he crashed into another vehicle soon after entering Athens-Clarke County, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

The man was identified as 34-year-old Bently Allen Tucker, of the Commerce area.

The wreck occurred on Lexington Road at the Woodgrove Drive intersection, which is just east of the Walmart Supercenter.

The patrol said that Tucker was driving a Honda CBR600 motorcycle and fleeing from the deputy at a high rate of speed when he crashed into a Honda Pilot.

The driver of the Pilot was attempting a left turn when the motorcycle hit the SUV on the passenger side, the patrol said.

The pursuit began at 5:43 p.m. near Arnoldsville at the intersection of Smokey Road, when the deputy was trying to stop the motorcycle because it was an unregistered vehicle, according to Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Tyndell.

The motorcycle fled toward Clarke County, but before the wreck occurred Tyndell said the deputy called the chase off.

Tucker died at the scene, according to the patrol.

Troopers are still investigating the crash.

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This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Motorcyclists fleeing from Oglethorpe deputy killed in collision with SUV in Athens