According to a Floyd County Police Department incident report, On August 17th, 2023, at 2:31 PM, Officer Forrister was traveling westbound on GA 20 (Alabama Hwy) near Barker Road when he observed a blue 2022 Dodge Charger speeding at 62 mph in a 45 MPH zone. Officer Forrister reported, “[I] did initiate a traffic stop on this vehicle, and we did come to a stop in the driveway of Oaknoll Cemetery on Alabama Hwy. Once [I] approached the vehicle, [I] did ask the driver for ID (Cortiyus Javari Ware Jr., 19, of Rome) and explained the reason for the stop. At this point, [I] could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, and when [I] asked Ware about marijuana in the vehicle, he declined to have any, and when asked about the last time the vehicle had been smoked in, he advised today day. [I] advised Ware to step out of the vehicle, and at this time, Ware accelerated his vehicle. Ware turned out and left the cemetery. [I] was able to see Ware accelerate onto GA 20 and down Shorter Industrial. While on Shorter Industrial Ware, he did pass a vehicle on the wrong side of the road. While attempting to gather speed on Ware, [I] reached speeds of 85 mph and was not able to close ground on his vehicle before having to negotiate a turn on Shorter Industrial. Once at the intersection of Shorter Industrial and Huffacker Road, [I] did slow down to negotiate the turn onto Huffacker and was pointed in the direction of Garden Lakes by other drivers on the roadway. [I] had lost sight of Ware’s vehicle by this point. Officer Forrister went to the address on file for the vehicle’s registration of 3010 Garden Lakes Road. Once at the address, Officer Forrister observed Ware run from the backyard of the home toward Benton Drive. Ware got back inside the same vehicle that he had parked and peeled away on Benton Dr. Officer Forrister reported, “At this point, due to the fact [I] had Ware identified already and also the approaching school hour traffic [I] did advise [I] would terminate the pursuit and pursue warrants for Ware’s arrest.” Officer Carrington then located Ware’s vehicle on Vail Pkwy and detained him. Ware demanded an accuracy check performed on the radar, which did come back accurate. Ware’s vehicle was searched, and there was a small dusting of loose-leaf marijuana. Ware was transported to the Floyd County Jail, charged with felony fleeing or attempting to elude, reckless driving, and speeding. According to reports, Ware already has a lengthy arrest record. In 2021, he violently beat a special needs student at Rome High School.
Rome teen arrested after high-speed chase in Floyd County
