As emergency personnel were working an accident scene on Highway 273 early Tuesday in Leesburg, a motorcyclist refused to stop and ran the roadblock – almost striking a Leesburg firefighter in the process.

Leesburg Police Investigator Jamie Chatman immediately gave chase, as the bike sped away on County Road 48, down County Road 600 then on through Driftwood Campground where it came dangerously close to hitting several children playing in a yard. 

The driver then reversed course – barreling back toward Highway 273 before he eventually crashed after going through loose gravel in Driftwood Campground.

40 year old Matthew James Beech of Trion, Georgia was taken into custody by Investigator Chatman – and then transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center where is charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Fleeing/Attempting to Elude and Resisting Arrest. He is being held on a $5,500 bond. 

Centre Police Chief Kirk Blankenship, and several Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Deputies assisted in the chase and apprehension of the subject.