According to a Floyd County Police Department incident report, On December 23rd, 2023, at 1:48 AM, Officer Surrett was patrolling the area of Cedar Ave. near East 20th, assisting the Rome City Police Department search for subjects that had been involved in a shooting on Hull Ave. While traveling north on Cedar Ave, the officer observed a silver 2014 Camaro traveling south in the northbound lane. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver, later identified as Demonte Christopher Dawson, 29, of Rockmart, accelerated and began driving at an extremely high rate of speed. Demonte drove extremely recklessly down multiple city streets while blacked out with all lights turned off. The pursuit continued south on SR 101 at speeds well over 140 mph while driving on the wrong side of the road. The pursuit turned down Old Rockmart, where Demonte crashed out near Dean Road, flipping the vehicle. According to the report, Officer Surrett observed the vehicle burst into flames. Officers observed Demonte disparately attempting to kick the window on the passenger side of the vehicle in an attempt to exit and flee on foot. Officer Vicente held coverage as Officer Surrett broke the window to get Demonte out of the vehicle and save his life. Demonte resisted arrest and did not listen to the verbal commands given to him. Officer Surrett reported, “After multiple attempts to get Demonte to place his hands behind his back we were unsuccessful. [I] then advised PFC. Vicente to tase Demonte, but the taser had malfunctioned. At this time [I] struck Demonte with a closed fist near his head as he was still fighting. At this time we were able to get Demonte onto his stomach and gain control of his wrist. After gaining control of Demonte, we were able to get him into handcuffs and place him in the back of my patrol vehicle.” Officer Vicente located two large packaged bags of marijuana. Demonte was transported to the Floyd County Jail charged with felony fleeing or attempting to elude, speeding, failure to obey traffic control devices, driving on the wrong side of the roadway, failure to maintain a lane, driving without insurance, misdemeanor obstruction, and possession of marijuana. According to jail records, Demonte was arrested in 2021 in Paulding County after a high-speed chase. Demonte was charged with DUI, felony fleeing, and a slew of traffic charges.
Rome man arrested after 140 mph pursuit ends in fiery crash in Floyd County
