10/06/2026
On Saturday, October 3rd, 2026, at approximately 2125 hours, Sergeant Ryan Harrison, Corporal Anthony Moody, and Corporal Justin Richerzhagen were patrolling the area of GA HWY 196 near Joe Kennedy Road. Sergeant Harrison observed a black Yamaha MT-07 motorcycle being driven West on GA 196 at a high rate of speed. Sergeant Harrison was unable to catch up to the motorcycle and relayed this information to Corporal Moody and Corporal Richerzhagen.
Corporal Richerzhagen observed the motorcycle pass another vehicle in a No Passing Zone and checked the motorcycle's speed at 90 miles per hour in a clearly posted 55 mile per hour zone.
Corporal Richerzhagen attempted to perform a traffic stop on the motorcycle on GA 196 near Hay Field Road. The driver, later identified as Victor Tavarez of Fort Stewart, quickly accelerated and began fleeing from Corporal Richerzhagen at speeds reaching 130 miles per hour.
The pursuit continued into Tattnall County before turning left on to US HWY 301. Corporal Moody became the primary unit in the pursuit at this point. The pursuit continued on US HWY 301 to Key Howard Road in Long County. Tavarez brought the motorcycle to a stop. As Corporal Moody and Corporal Richerzhagen were attempting to arrest Tavarez, he rapidly attempted to flee again, striking Corporal Moody and his patrol vehicle with the motorcycle. Tavarez lost control of the motorcycle after the collision with Corporal Moody and was placed under arrest. Corporal Moody received medical attention for minor injuries.
Tavarez, pictured below was arrested and charged with the following:
-Wrong Class of Driver's License
-Improper Passing on the Left
-Reckless Driving
-Speeding (x2)
-Felony Fleeing or Attempting to Elude
-Felony Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer
-Aggravated Assault Against a Law Enforcement Officer
