Driver's Vehicle Goes Airborne, Strikes Privacy Fence Before Suspect Flees from Winder Police on Foot

A Stone Mountain man was arrested Jan. 18, 2013, and faces several charges after police say he refused to pull over for a traffic stop, took out a street sign and struck a wooden privacy fence. 

Gary Bernard Thompkins, 50, of 481 Hambrick Road, Apt. 7, in Stone Mountain, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, fleeing or attempting to elude police officer, no insurance, no license plate or decal, damage to private property and damage to public/city property. 

According to an incident report, an officer with the Winder Police Department attempted to stop the vehicle the suspect was driving after observing it crossing the center line. When the driver refused to stop, a chase ensued, during which the suspect reportedly reached speeds up to 80 mph within the city limits and went airborne at the intersection of King Street and Capitol Avenue. After turning into Eagles Landing subdivision, the driver struck a wooden privacy fence at a resident on Harpy Eagle Drive before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot.

The suspect was apprehended in the subdivision and told officers he didn't know why he was being pulled over. An officer reportedly smelled alcohol on the suspect's breath and the man said he had drank two beers.

The resident whose fence was damaged estimated the cost of repairs at approximately $3,000.

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