One person dead after car chase from Troup County ends in Columbus, authorities say
One person is dead of multiple gunshot wounds after a vehicle chase started in Troup County and ended near the I-185 south ramp on Macon Road in Columbus Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.
Kevin Caldwell, 33, was declared dead at 5:57 p.m. at Piedmont Columbus Regional, Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan told the Ledger-Enquirer in a text message.
The pursuit was initiated in Troup County by a sheriff’s deputy, Columbus Police Chief Freddie Blackmon told media gathered at the scene. As the cars continued south toward Muscogee County, Georgia State Patrol joined the chase.
The vehicles exited I-185 at Macon Road around 4:30 p.m. Blackmon said shots were fired, but did not specify if it was from law enforcement or the driver.
Close to 20 law enforcement vehicles — including Troup County sheriff, Columbus police, Muscogee County sheriff and Georgia State Patrol — responded to the scene shortly after.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation will take on the case, Blackmon said.
The Troup County Sheriff’s Office declined to provide more information when contacted by the Ledger-Enquirer.
Westbound lanes in front of the Quality Inn hotel were blocked off by CPD cars for multiple hours. Traffic in the eastbound lanes just before the south ramp was being rerouted by police officers. Drivers could enter I-185 northbound, but could not exit the south ramp.
Crime scene tape has roped off a large area of the road between Captain D’s and McDonald’s.
Ledger-Enquirer staff writers Sydney Sims and Tim Chitwood contributed to this report.
This story was originally published June 8, 2021 at 5:29 PM.