Suspected drug dealer arrested following high-speed chase

FORSYTH, Ga. — A suspected drug dealer took a Forsyth County Deputy on a dangerous high-speed chase, hitting speeds of over 120 miles per hour. During the chase on southbound Georgia State Route 400, the driver repeatedly “brake-checked” his car, trying to cause the pursuing deputy to crash.

“I relied on my training and in being in pursuits before. Our training division does a good job preparing us for incidents like this,” said Forsyth Deputy First Class Enrique Escolano.

The chase, which began around 2 a.m. Friday, went on for several miles. It came to an end when other deputies placed a spike strip on the highway that punctured the car’s tires. The suspect, identified as Demetris Clay, 37, of Atlanta, attempted to escape by climbing over the median wall, but the 6-foot, 9-inch tall deputy grabbed the man by the pants and pulled him down.

“Thankfully these springs still have a little giddyup left in them,” said Escolano.

Inside the vehicle, authorities say the found an array of illegal drugs, including distribution-size quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, heroin and marijuana. They also seized two handguns and fake identification and credit cards.

Escolano is a former professional minor-league pitcher. The bust may not be as gratifying as a no-hitter, but he says it’s not bad for a routine night on patrol.

“That’s right up there with the most memorable for sure. You don’t encounter stops like that every day, and to finish on the right side of the law and get that stuff off the streets, it made me feel really good. This is our community. This is where we raise our families.” said Escolano.

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