Cornelia Man Arrested for Drunk Driving After High-Speed Chase

A Ford Maverick pickup truck rests on an embankment off GA 365 following a high-speed chase on St. Patrick's Day.Photo byRob Moore/Habersham County

Authorities arrested a Cornelia man for suspicion of drunk driving following a high-speed chase on St. Patrick's Day. According to the Habersham County Sheriff's Office (HCSO), 20-year-old Noah Park faces numerous charges in connection to the incident.

Dicks Hill Parkway to GA 365

On Sunday night, March 17, the Georgia State Patrol radioed Habersham County E-911 to report that a Georgia Department of Natural Resources Ranger was pursuing a black Ford Maverick on Dicks Hill Parkway outside Mt. Airy. The officer lost contact with the truck as it headed toward Cornelia, said HCSO spokesperson Rob Moore

Deputies responded to the area to help look for the truck. A citizen notified them it was on Hazel Creek Road at Carl Loudermilk Road. Moore said deputies found the vehicle at that location, but the driver failed to yield to blue lights and sirens.

The fleeing driver crossed Camp Creek Road and turned onto GA 365 South. At Double Bridge Road, the truck crossed over to go south in the northbound lanes of the highway, said HCSO Sgt. Chris Carter. When the driver attempted to turn left onto Demorest-Mt. Airy Highway, the truck went out of control, crossed a ditch, and traveled up an embankment,

No other vehicles were involved in the crash, officials said.

Driver and dog taken into custody

The driver’s airbag deployed during the wreck. EMTs responded to check Park for injuries.

Moore said a dog in the truck would not let officers approach. Habersham County Animal Care and Control (HCACC) took custody of the dog. They later turned it over to a family member.

Deputies transported Park to the Habersham County Detention Center and booked him on multiple charges, including fleeing and attempting to elude officers, reckless driving, driving in the wrong direction on a divided highway, failure to yield, and two stop sign violations.

Moore said the Georgia State Patrol charged Park with driving under the influence.

Fourth high-speed chase

This is at least the fourth high-speed chase in Habersham County this month.

On March 4, a Demorest man shot and killed himself after leading police on a high-speed chase through Clarkesville.

Four days later, on March 8, state troopers from Hall County pursued a driver into Habersham County after he fled from a traffic stop.

On March 14, a motorcyclist was taken into custody after a two-county chase that resulted in two wrecked patrol cars and a manhunt.