The suspect in a high speed chase involving a motorcycle was airlifted to an area trauma center after crashing the bike on Highway 278 near County Road 715 on Saturday night near Spring Garden.

According to Piedmont Police Chief Freddie Norton, his department was contacted by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office concerning two reckless motorcycles coming into Piedmont on Highway 9 South.

Piedmont Officers made contact with the bikes on Highway 278 and that’s when one of them fled at a high rate of speed. Officers were able to briefly pull the bike over before the driver again fled at a high rate of speed and that’s when officers gave pursuit.

The chase ended when the motorcycle left the roadway ejecting the driver on Highway 278 near Cherokee Co. Road 715. He was taken by Piedmont Rescue to Spring Garden High School and from there was airlifted by Air-Evac to an area trauma center.

Chief Norton said that the incident appears to be alcohol related. The name of the suspect has not yet been released.

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Officer Deputies and the Spring Garden Fire Department assisted.