Crime & Safety
Police: DUI Suspect Flipped Vehicle, Knocked Down Power Lines
Georgia Power was summoned to shut off power in the November incident in Duluth, police said.
A Duluth man is facing DUI and other charges in connection with a November accident that left power lines downed, according to police.
Chazz M. Vaughn of a Hidden Lake Drive address in Duluth was booked into the Gwinnett Detention Center in Duluth on Dec. 4, according to jail records. Charges included driving under the influence, hit and run, criminal damage to property-second degree, and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.
The charges arose from an incident that concluded on Creek Drive in Duluth on Nov. 28 after a police chase, according to the Duluth Police report.
An officer first noticed the suspect's vehicle at North Berkeley Lake Road and Buford Highway about 2 a.m. When the vehicle turned north on Buford Highway, it failed to maintain its lane and swerved, the officer said.
After the officer activated his lights and siren, the suspect appeared to flee the scene, and eventually pursuit led the officer to Creek Drive.
After saying that he was losing his sights on the vehicle, the officer then observed sparks coming from right hand side of the vehicle by the power lines pole. While the officer caught up to the vehicle, he saw that the power lines pole was broken in half, and that its wires were down on the road.
Georgia Power was summoned, and eventually shut down the power.
The vehicle was flipped upside down, and the driver had left the scene.
The officer discovered a photo ID, papers, a beer bottle cap, and a blue Nike shoe lying in and around the vehicle. After other officers arrived, the initial officer found the suspect's other blue Nike shoe lying in bushes behind a residence on Creek Drive.
Another responding officer reported that he spoke with someone fitting the description of the suspect. After telling the officer that he did not see anyone running, the suspect walked between the tree lines on Creek Drive and disappeared.
On Dec. 4, Duluth Police met with the suspect at police headquarters about a previous incident. The suspect then said he wanted to discuss an accident that occurred on Nov. 28.
Police then found that the suspect was wanted on various warrants in Gwinnett County.
This information was obtained from Duluth Police. It does not indicate a conviction. Questions should be directed to duluth@patch.com.
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