A heated exchange at the Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office led to police being called on May 13th, after a local businessman allegedly refused to leave following a contentious meeting.
A high-speed chase originating near Hays State Prison Saturday morning resulted in a serious injury accident at the intersection of Highway 27 and Central Avenue. According to Sheriff Mark A. Schrader, Chattooga County deputies were alerted to a possible contraband drop near the prison at approximately 7:00 AM. Corporal Jared Wilks responded and initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle believed to be involved. “As Cpl. Wilks approached the out-of-county vehicle, the driver and passenger exhibited extreme nervousness,” stated Sheriff Schrader. “Upon requesting the driver to step out of the vehicle, the driver sped away, initiating a pursuit.” Cpl. Wilks pursued the vehicle north on Highway 27 through Trion. The suspect vehicle then made an abrupt U-turn near Dixie Fibers and headed south on Highway 27. Preliminary investigation indicates that the fleeing vehicle ran a red light at the intersection of Highway 27 and Central Avenue, colliding with another vehicle attempting to enter the highway from Central Avenue. All three individuals involved in the accident were injured. The driver of the vehicle struck by the suspect was transported to the emergency room. The driver and passenger of the fleeing vehicle were also transported for medical treatment. Sheriff Schrader urges the community to keep the driver of the struck vehicle and their family in their thoughts and prayers. A host of charges are pending against the fleeing suspects, who authorities believe are both on probation in the metro Atlanta area. These charges are expected to include serious injury by motor vehicle.
On Sunday, 39-year-old Jario Cruz Gutierriez-Vargas of Atlanta, Georgia was killed in an accident on Highway 114 in Lyerly. The driver of the vehicle was charged with DUI and Homicide by Vehicle. The Georgia State Patrol arrested Jeffrey Vega and booked him into the Chattooga County Jail. Now, Immigration and Customs Enforcement have placed a hold on Vega. Local law enforcement say that usually indicates that the federal agency will be picking up the suspect. More information will be released as it becomes available.
A 19-year-old male is facing homicide by vehicle charges following a fatal single-vehicle crash in Lyerly, Georgia, on Sunday evening. According to Georgia State Patrol Trooper Doug Shamblin, the incident occurred on Highway 114 near the solar panel farm. Jeffry Vega, allegedly driving at a high rate of speed and displaying reckless behavior according to witnesses, was traveling westbound when his van left the roadway and struck a power pole. The van subsequently overturned, ejecting one passenger who was pronounced dead at the scene. After ejecting the passenger, the vehicle continued and struck another utility pole before coming to rest on its roof. Three other passengers were in the vehicle. Two sustained minor injuries, while another female passenger was transported to Atrium Health Floyd initially and later transferred to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga with critical injuries. The Georgia State Patrol is still in the process of notifying the deceased passenger’s next of kin. Jeffry Vega was arrested at the scene and charged with driving without a valid license, failure to maintain a single lane, DUI for alcohol, serious injury by vehicle, and homicide by vehicle in the first degree. He is currently being held in the Chattooga County Jail.
Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, April 29, 2025:
Commissioner Andy Allen is facing a criminal warrant application filed against him in the Magistrate Court of Chattooga County. The application stems from an alleged incident that occurred on March 3, 2025, and was filed by William Wilson of Annville, KY.
Chattooga County has filed a lawsuit against Zentell Communications, LLC, and Jonathan W. Allen, claiming breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation regarding a communications project set for late 2024. The lawsuit, filed in Chattooga County Superior Court, alleges that Zentell did not meet its contract obligations and misused county funds. The county had engaged Zentell through a competitive bidding process, with Allen submitting a bid and signing the contract to provide services.
Chattooga County has sued Zentell Communications, LLC, and Jonathan W. Allen for breach of contract and fraud related to a late-2024 communications project. The lawsuit, filed in Chattooga County Superior Court, claims Zentell did not meet contract obligations and misused county funds. Former County Commissioner Blake Elsberry paid $333,265 for work that was allegedly not completed. The lawsuit seeks damages equal to the payments made, plus additional compensation for fraud and attorney fees. Attorneys from the Palmour Law Firm are handling the case. Zentell Communications has not yet responded to the lawsuit. WZQZ will have more on this story in tomorrow’s news on the radio and online at www.chattoogainfo.com.
Here’s the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Tuesday, April 22, 2025:
The City of Summerville is currently conducting essential fire hydrant testing throughout its water system, a process expected to continue throughout the late Spring and early Summer of 2025.