Jailed driver after police chase” : “Victor Ignacio Barragan Arrested on Multiple Charges After Police Chase in Baldwin and Cornelia

Accident – Death – Obituary News : A Demorest resident is currently behind bars facing multiple misdemeanor charges following a dramatic police chase that took place in Baldwin and Cornelia. Victor Ignacio Barragan, a 34-year-old man, was apprehended on December 4 after an eventful evening.

The incident began when Baldwin police officer Dakota Foster noticed a Ford Expedition with a missing headlight traveling north on Willingham Avenue. Foster immediately recognized the vehicle as matching the description of one that had fled from Hall County deputies not once, but twice earlier that evening. Deciding to take action, Officer Foster initiated a traffic stop, signaling for Barragan to pull over. However, instead of complying with the officer’s instructions, Barragan chose to defy the law and lead the police on a reckless pursuit.

During the chase, Barragan’s driving behavior raised suspicions of impairment. Witnesses noted that he was maneuvering the vehicle in a manner consistent with that of an impaired driver. Moreover, Barragan blatantly ran a red light at the intersection of Willingham Avenue and Highway 441, endangering both himself and other innocent road users.

As the pursuit continued into Cornelia, Officer Foster requested the assistance of the local police to deploy spike strips in an attempt to immobilize Barragan’s vehicle. However, due to radio traffic issues, the backup was unable to respond promptly, allowing Barragan to evade capture momentarily.

In a desperate attempt to seek refuge, Barragan dialed Habersham County 911, claiming to be experiencing a medical emergency and urgently needing to reach a hospital. The dispatcher provided him with instructions to pull over for the pursuing officer, assuring him that an ambulance would be dispatched to his location. Unfortunately, Barragan chose to ignore the dispatcher’s advice and continued to evade law enforcement.

In an effort to bring the dangerous pursuit to an end, the police devised a rolling roadblock strategy. However, Barragan skillfully evaded the roadblock, displaying a reckless disregard for the safety of others on the road. Finally, Officer Foster decided to employ a PIT (Precision Immobilization Technique) maneuver, effectively ending the chase and bringing Barragan’s vehicle to a stop.

Despite claiming to have a medical emergency, Barragan refused medical attention at the scene. Instead, he was promptly transported to the Habersham County Jail, where he was booked on a multitude of charges. These charges include driving under the influence, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, fleeing and attempting to elude, headlight requirements, seat belt violation, and possession of drug-related objects.

As of December 9, Barragan remains incarcerated at the Habersham County jail, with his release pending a bond payment of $13,690.

This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by impaired drivers and the importance of obeying law enforcement officers. The swift actions of Officer Foster and the collaboration between multiple police departments contributed to the successful apprehension of a potentially dangerous individual. The local community can rest assured knowing that their safety is a top priority for law enforcement agencies..