An escaped Emanuel County inmate got as far as Augusta early Monday before pursuing law enforcement forcibly stopped his stolen SUV.
Authorities say Thomas Wright, 43, fled the Emanuel Probation Detention Center, a medium-security facility in Twin City where felony probationers stay while performing unpaid work on supervised release in other communities.
Taking a white Chevrolet Tahoe, Wright made it to Augusta before a Georgia State Patrol trooper saw the vehicle speed down Deans Bridge Road at 1:09 a.m. and run a red light where the road intersects Augusta Tech Drive.
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As Richmond County Sheriff’s Office units converged on the location, the trooper tried to conduct a traffic stop on the Tahoe, which slowed down but sped back up, triggering a police chase.
As the vehicle reached speeds of 90 mph in a 45 mph zone, the trooper executed a driving maneuver that bumped the Tahoe, forcing a spinout near where Deans Bridge meets Cornelia Road, according to the GSP.
Wright was taken to a local hospital after complaining of injuries, then was taken into custody by the Georgia Department of Corrections.
The GSP charged Wright with felony fleeing, failure to obey a traffic control device, and driving while unlicensed. The RCSO is handling charges associated with the stolen vehicle.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Charges mount for Emanuel County inmate caught in Augusta after escape