On June 20, 2010, at approximately 4:00 am, a concerned citizen notified the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Upchurch Rd in Columbia County. Deputy Sheriff Scott Busby responded to the area and observed the suspicious vehicle run a stop sign at Tompkins St and Upchurch Rd. Deputy Busby turned around in order to conduct a traffic stop. Before D/S Busby could stop the SUV, the driver ran another stop sign and sped away at a high rate of speed. D/S Busby observed the driver of the suspicious SUV drive behind a house with the headlights turned off. D/S Busby attempted to make contact with the vehicle but the driver sped away.
D/S Busby activated his CCSO patrol vehicles emergency lights and siren and driver of the SUV failed to yield. A vehicle pursuit ensued along several side streets. Deputy Sheriff Joshua Joyner arrived to assist D/S Busby. D/S Joyner positioned his patrol vehicle at the intersection of Loblolly Place and Lone Leaf Drive. The fleeing driver swerved towards D/S Joyner’s patrol car and struck the rear of the patrol vehicle. The suspect continued to flee south on S.R. 247 at a high rate of speed with D/S Busby and Joyner in pursuit. The pursuit continued into Suwannee County, turning onto CR 129 and then onto U.S. 27. The pursuit entered the town of Branford where the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office assisted the CCSO units. Deputy Joyner attempted a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) and spun the fleeing vehicle out. The driver was able to regain control and struck D/S Busby’s patrol car in the process.
The pursuit continued on U.S. 27 with Columbia and Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office pursuing. D/S Joyner attempted a second PIT maneuver at U.S. 27 and C.R. 129. The fleeing vehicle was spun into a roadside ditch and struck a CCSO and SCSO patrol vehicle as the driver tried to flee again. The Deputies were able to block the vehicle from fleeing once more. Deputies approached the vehicle and made contact with the driver. The driver was seen seated behind the steering wheel, drinking from a beer can and refusing the commands of the Deputies.
Deputy Joyner deployed his X-26 Taser, striking the driver in the arm. The driver continued to ignore the commands of the Deputies and D/S Joyner deployed the X-26 Taser one more time. The Taser deployment was successful and the driver, Jason Williamson, was removed from the vehicle and handcuffed. The passenger, Joshua Williamson, also refused the commands of the Deputies and was removed from the car by Deputies from the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office.
Both Jason and Joshua Williamson were transported to the Suwannee County Jail and booked on multiple charges. A judicial hold was placed on both subjects until they can be transferred to Columbia County to face charges.
In total, three Columbia County Sheriff’s Office vehicles sustained damage during this pursuit. Damage estimates are in excess of $2,000.00. D/S Joyner received medical treatment at Shands Lake Shore for a possible broken finger caused while trying to arrest the driver. No other injuries were reported. CCSO Deputies believe that the pair was in the area to commit burglaries. The concerned citizen that first notified CCSO to the suspicious vehicle potentially prevented his neighbors from becoming crime victims.
Arrested:
[lightbox href=”https://columbiasheriff.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Jason-Williamson.jpg”] [image src=”https://columbiasheriff.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Jason-Williamson.jpg” height=150 width=150] [/lightbox]
Jason N. Williamson 01/24/1985
6130 284th St, Branford, FL
Charges: Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer with a motor vehicle, Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer with a motor vehicle (3 counts), Felony Fleeing and Eluding, Criminal Mischief (3 counts), Felony Reckless Driving, Felony Driving While License Suspended or Revoked, Resisting Arrest without violence.
[lightbox href=”https://columbiasheriff.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Joshua-Williamson.jpg”] [image src=”https://columbiasheriff.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Joshua-Williamson.jpg” height=150 width=150] [/lightbox]
Joshua E. Williamson 01/25/1985
340 NW Acorn Drive, Lake City, FL
Charges: Resisting without violence.
