The Augusta driver who was killed after a chase with deputies survived the crash on Bobby Jones Expressway on Monday night but died after ingesting drugs, authorities said.
Serial drug user Joseph Brian Mobley, 47, of Waynesboro, began a chase with a Columbia County deputy Monday night after he was found passed out with burnt tinfoil in his lap at the Krystal’s in Martinez. He woke up and pulled away from the deputy, with Richmond County taking over the chase on I-520 East, authorities said.
The Georgia State Patrol said a Richmond County deputy performed a PIT maneuver on the fleeing vehicle, which caused the car to exit the roadway and strike a guardrail.
“After impact, the driver was entrapped inside the vehicle but was conscious and alert,” a GSP report says. “While waiting to be extricated, he ingested narcotics that were inside the vehicle. The driver became unconscious and was pronounced deceased on scene while still in the vehicle.”
Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen said Mobley was pronounced dead at 11:45 p.m. Monday.
Mobley has been arrested multiple times in the region for drug possession, usually involving meth.
