A chase in Gordon County this week resulted in the death of 29 year-old Cassie Renee Smith, of Ellijay.  According to the Georgia State Patrol, a deputy sheriff was patrolling US Highway 411 near the Ranger community when he observed a Toyota ‘Scion’ automobile travelling at a high rate of speed. The deputy activated his emergency equipment and attempted to catch up to the automobile which sped away at a higher rate of speed. The Toyota turned onto Red Bud Road (State Route 156) and continued onto Knight Road as the deputy tried to keep the car in sight.

After turning onto Kight Road the car ran off the road and overturned, ejecting two passengers.

Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.

A second passenger, Anthony Roger Chastain, 28, of Talking Rock, was transported to a Rome hospital.

Authorities are still trying to determine who was the driver of the vehicle.

Chastain has first told authorities that he was driving; however, after discovering that Smith had died, he changed his story and told police that she was the driver.

Charges are pending.