Glynn County deputy puts his life on the line to save others from dangerous driver

GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. – Last week, a deputy with the Glynn County Sheriff’s Office positioned his car in front of a reckless driver who was accused of stealing a car and leading deputies on a chase. The Glynn County Sheriff’s Office said Deputy Christopher Hatcher’s quick thinking before the impact of a crash during the chase helped protect drivers nearby from possibly being injured or killed.

On Tuesday, Deputy Hatcher was doing fine.

The crash happened last Monday on State Road 27 near McKenzie Drive.

A dash camera video showed exactly what happened in the moments leading up to the impact when the reckless driver hit the rear of a pickup and then drifted sideways into the deputy’s car.

“I attempted or tried to move out of the way but then for some reason, I turned right into his car, which deflected him into the parking lot. So, the two cars behind me were still left safe,” Hatcher said. “[I was thinking] that I need to get my car out of the way so I don’t get hurt and then for some reason, I’m like nope, let’s go into the car. It was quick. I’ve never had an airbag go off before and I don’t want to ever happen again.”

But Deputy Hatcher didn’t stop chasing after the suspect following the crash.

“He needed to go to jail at that point more than he did just for stealing the car,” Hatcher said.

With a swollen forearm and some other bruises, Deputy Hatcher returned to work two days later.

Still, Hatcher said he doesn’t know if he’s processed this yet.

Deputy Hatcher was given the Sheriff’s Office Medal of Valor for Heroism, but he said he doesn’t feel like a hero.

It all started when a woman said she drove to check the mailbox at her apartment.

She left her dog inside the car and when she was coming out, she told investigators she noticed a man, later identified as Deshawn Stacey, inside her car.

When she tried to grab her dog out of the car, she told police that Stacey, 28, punched the dog several times.

She tried pulling on the leash as he drove away but Stacey dragged her until she let go, she told investigators.

Police were able to track her car and that’s when the chase started.

Stacey now faces 14 charges including theft, fleeing police, hit-and-run and driving under the influence.