Fleeing speeder late to get license

**Bren** · 10th September 2007, 11:38

GSP: Fleeing speeder late to get license
09/06/07
By Diane Wagner, Rome News-Tribune Staff Writer

A motorcyclist who led police on a high-speed chase through Floyd and Chattooga counties Wednesday was hurrying to get his license, authorities said.

“There were no warrants out, no alcohol involved,” said Georgia State Patrol Trooper Joseph Hobbs. “He said he didn’t want to stop because he was 10 minutes late for an appointment here, at the post, to get his (motorcycle) license.”

Click here for a map to the location where the motorcyclist was caught.

Justin Patterson, 22, of 735 Roland Hayes Parkway, in Calhoun, was clocked at speeds of as fast as 154 mph in Floyd County and more than 130 mph in Chattooga County on a 2002 Suzuki GSX 1300 Hayabusa, Hobbs said.

“We took him to (the Chattooga County Jail) for charges up there, and there will be charges from the state and Floyd County as soon as he gets out of Chattooga,” Hobbs said.

According to reports:

The chase started about 9:25 a.m. when Floyd County police officer Buddy Paris clocked the bike at 81 mph on New Rosedale Road. Paris said Patterson sped away, ignoring the lights and siren, and turned north onto U.S. 27.

Georgia State Patrol officers and a state Department of Natural Resources ranger picked up the chase in Chattooga County, and at one point, the motorcycle clipped another vehicle. When Patterson turned around and headed back into Floyd, Hobbs said he and GSP Trooper David Allen cornered him in a cul-de-sac at Richard B. Russell Regional Airport.

“I guess it turned out OK because he didn’t hit anyone,” Hobbs said. “And if he’d gone down at the speed he was running, he would have died.”

Patterson was in the Chattooga County Jail on Wednesday, charged with reckless driving, speeding, fleeing law enforcement officers, failure to maintain a lane, leaving the scene of an accident and passing in a no-passing zone, according to Chief Investigator Eddie Colbert.

“He’ll have bond from there, and then we’ll get him,” said Paris, adding that Floyd County warrants have been issued on charges of fleeing officers, speeding, reckless driving, failure to signal while changing lanes and driving without a license.

One word....DUMBASS

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v...D=1297612&om=1

**liamrae** · 10th September 2007, 11:43

Hahahaha i guess the waiting period for booking a practical licence test is even longer in the US than here. i had to book mine nearly a month in advance and if i missed it id have to book again... id be tempted to speed to it too.

**Karma** · 10th September 2007, 11:46

Failure to maintain a lane? They need that over here, that'd sort those auckland drivers out

**Sanx** · 10th September 2007, 17:49

Originally Posted by Karma

Failure to maintain a lane? They need that over here, that'd sort those auckland drivers out

Dear Karma,

What is this 'lane' you talk about?

Signed,
Auckland Driver

**Deviant Esq** · 10th September 2007, 18:09

Originally Posted by liamrae

Hahahaha i guess the waiting period for booking a practical licence test is even longer in the US than here. i had to book mine nearly a month in advance and if i missed it id have to book again... id be tempted to speed to it too.

It's longer than 24 months (if you're under 25)?

Fuck that for a game of soldiers. Two years is practically forever - trust me, I know.

**90s** · 10th September 2007, 21:13

Its a clever country that lets a learner drive a 200mph 2002 Suzuki GSX 1300 Hayabusa and then seems amazed that they can't, erm, ride it properly.

Anyway, if you don't understand lanes its pretty simple really - centre yourself on the line down the middle. But only when you can be bothered.