AUGUSTA, Georgia — A 31-year-old man from Waynesboro died early Sunday, October 25, after his vehicle crashed during a pursuit involving the Georgia State Patrol in Richmond County, authorities said. The man, identified as Tom Ellison, was taken to Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center but was pronounced dead at 12:28 a.m., according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.

Source: AugustaCrime.com, reporting the Georgia State Patrol and Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen

According to the Georgia State Patrol, the incident began at approximately 11:38 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, when troopers attempted to stop a gold Chevrolet Malibu on New Savannah Road near Skyview Drive. The driver initially slowed but did not stop, prompting troopers to pursue the vehicle, the agency said.

Source: AugustaCrime.com — Waynesboro man, 31, dies after crash during Georgia State Patrol pursuit

The pursuit continued south along Doug Barnard Parkway near Center South Court, where a trooper performed a Precision Immobilization Technique, commonly known as a PIT maneuver, the state patrol said. The Malibu rotated counterclockwise before entering the center median and striking a tree near the intersection of Doug Barnard Parkway and Dixon Airline Road, according to the state patrol's account.

Ellison was ejected from the vehicle during the collision and came to rest in the roadway, authorities said. He was found unresponsive, and emergency lifesaving efforts continued until emergency medical personnel arrived and transported him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Coroner Bowen said an autopsy has been scheduled, and the circumstances surrounding the pursuit and the crash remain under investigation, according to reporting of the coroner's office. Authorities had not released further information about the events leading up to the pursuit in the initial reports.

Source: Today Tribune News, reporting the Richmond County coroner's office