A Bulloch County Sheriff’s deputy forced a fleeing suspect to a halt Monday afternoon after responding to a domestic disturbance.

Tyler Edward Crabtree, 23, Irongate Place, fled from deputies after physically attacking an elderly relative, but Master Deputy Jeff White ended the high-speed chase by performing a PIT (Precision Immobilization Technique) maneuver, forcing Crabtree’s truck out of control by using his patrol car, said Bulloch County Sheriff Noel Brown.

Deputies were called to an Irongate Place residence, where a victim said their son, Crabtree, came to their house and started an argument, then struck the victim several times, he said. Apparently, due to charges later filed, a juvenile was present during the altercation.

Crabtree left in a silver/gray pickup, and was soon located on a neighborhood street that led to Cypress Lake Road, Brown said.

When deputies tried to stop him, Crabtree fled, reaching high speeds as he tried to elude capture. He traveled onto Cypress Lake Road, where he reportedly drove recklessly and aggressively, passing in hills and curves and drove on the wrong side of the road, according to reports. At one point he slammed into a mailbox, damaging it, sheriff’s incident reports stated.

In order to end the dangerous pursuit in a heavily residential area, White used his patrol car to force Crabtree’s truck to a stop, Brown said. The move was necessary “due to (Crabtree’s) total disregard for the safely of life.”  

Crabtree was transported to the hospital for evaluation before being taken to the Bulloch County Jail.

He is charged with battery against a person 65 or older; criminal trespass; DUI/less safe/drugs; failure to yield for authorized emergency vehicle; third degree cruelty to children; disorderly conduct; fleeing/attempt to elude police for a felony; reckless driving; aggressive driving; speeding; failure to maintain lane; stop sign violation; driving on the wrong side of the roadway; passing within 1,000 feet of a bridge or tunnel; seat belt violation passing in a no-passing zone;  and passing on a hill crest or curve.

Crabtree, who has an extensive criminal history with the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office involving domestic offenses, remains in the Bulloch County Jail as he awaits further court action, according to jail records.

Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912-489-9414.)

EGRMC after crash for eval then to jail

Brown commended deputies “for taking action to end the pursuit before Crabtree could cause another inj or poss death”

GSP assist