RICHMOND HILL, Ga. () – A police chase turned deadly on Harris Trail, closing down the road for several hours Saturday.

Bryan County officials told shortly after 5:30 p.m., a Bryan County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted a traffic stop in the Sterling Curve area on Ga. Route 144, and when the driver refused to stop, the deputy was led on a high speed chase.  

The suspect then began passing vehicles on solid double yellow lines, and the chase proceeded for several minutes throughout roadways in the eastern portion of the county, eventually ending on Harris Trail where the suspect was attempting to turn a curve, hitting another vehicle, sending both vehicles into the wood line, Georgia State Patrol (GSP) officials told .

Officials said the suspect then hit a tree, and the crash set the vehicle on fire.

The deputy stopped to assist the driver of the other vehicle struck by the suspect, but was unable to render aid to the suspect. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Georgia State Patrol Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team is investigating the accident.