Georgia trooper fatally shoots driver after chase

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A Georgia State Patrol officer fatally shot a man after a vehicle chase early Saturday morning in Cedartown, Ga., authorities said

The GSP asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to determine what happened, according to a GBI news release.

The release said troopers were holding a DUI check on Fish Creek Road shortly after midnight when a vehicle tried to get away. Troopers went in pursuit and stoppped the vehicle at the intersection of Collard Valley Road and Old Collard Valley Road, where a passenger got out.

Trooper Johnathan Mason was making contact with the driver when the man suddenly accelerated and Mason fired, the release stated.

The driver, Jason Dennis Watkins, 36, was taken to Polk County Hospital where he died. An autopsy will be performed at the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur.

Results of the GBI investigation will e turned over to the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office for revie

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