The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in finding a fugitive.
Deputies are searching for Wesley Mark Miller, 32, of Savannah, who is also on federal probation.
Miller fled in a truck when deputies stopped him about 4 a.m. July 13.
The truck Miller was driving matched the description of a vehicle involved in a possible theft on Ga. 30, Sheriff’s Office spokesman David Ehsanipoor said. Investigators later determined the truck was stolen.
Miller was pursued down Ga. 30 and onto Nease Road, where he lost control of the truck, hitting several power poles.
Miller was trapped in the vehicle for some time due to live power lines.
Miller left Memorial University Medical Center while he was being treated for his injuries from the wreck, Ehsanipoor said.
He then began contacting law enforcement, stating he would turn himself in.
“Miller has not cooperated and is on the run,” Ehsanipoor said.
Miller is from Savannah, but also has connections in Tattnall County.
Miller is wanted for theft by receiving a stolen vehicle, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, felony criminal attempt to commit a crime, possession of tools during the commission of a crime, along with several other charges. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office at 912-754-3449.
Motorcyclist, child injured in separate wrecks
A motorcyclist and a child on a scooter were hospitalized in wrecks Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning.
Both are listed in serious condition with non-life-threatening injuries at Memorial University Medical Center where they were taken following the crashes.
The motorcyclist wrecked near his home in the 100 block of Greenbriar Court when he struck a parked vehicle about 4:15 a.m., said Julian Miller, Savannah-Chatham police spokesman.
Investigators said the driver was traveling West on his 2002 Harley-Davidson when he accelerated and lost control on a slight curve in the roadway.
In the other wreck, an 8-year-old was injured about 7 p.m. Tuesday when the scooter he was riding in front of his home in the 5500 block of Emory Drive was struck by a motor scooter driven by a 13-year-old neighbor, Miller said.
Savannah-Chatham’s Major Accident Investigation Team is continuing to look into both collisions, Miller said.
6 year-old drowns in Swainsboro
Georgia State Patrol officers, Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Swainsboro police officers recovered the body of 6-year-old Dena Burns from a local pond in Swainsboro on Thursday morning after receiving a call from Burns’ parents that the child had gone missing.
The parents told deputies about 6:35 a.m. that Burns was autistic and she enjoyed playing in water, according to an Emanuel County Sheriff’s Office news release.
After searching the surrounding areas and nearby bodies of water, officers found the young girl nearly 30 minutes after receiving the call. The 6 year-old was unresponsive and officers began immediately using CPR in attempt to resuscitate Burns until medical personnel arrived on the scene.
She was pronounced dead by the Emanuel County Coroner’s Office after being transported to Emanuel Medical Center.
Sheriff J. Tyson Stephens said that an autopsy will be preformed today, but that no one is suspected of foul play, although the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information helpful to this incident, or other criminal activity in Emanuel County, is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 478-237-7526 or sheriff’s investigators division at 478-237-6360. All information will remain confidential.
Guardrail work scheduled on interstates
A Georgia Department of Transportation contractor will repair guardrails in Chatham and Byran counties today.
Crews will be working in half-mile to mile-long increments and frequently relocating. Motorists should be aware of work patterns.
Work is scheduled today 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, weather permitting in the following locations:
In Chatham County:
• Interstate 16 eastbound at mile marker 157.5 (median shoulder closure)
• I-16 eastbound at mile marker 163.2 (lane and shoulder closure)
• I-16 westbound at mile marker 164.05 (lane and shoulder closure)
• Interstate 516 westbound at Exit 5 entrance (ramp narrows)
• I-516 eastbound at mile marker 4.3 (lane closure)
In Bryan County:
• I-16 westbound at mile marker 144.7 (shoulder closure)
Motorists should expect minor delays in these work zones and are advised to reduce speeds as they travel through the areas.
Compiled by DeAnn Komanecky, Corey Dickstein and Jeremiah Johnson