Chase on I-20 Ends in Shooting, 1 Dead

There are new details about a deadly shootout overnight in Newton County that shut down parts of Interstate 20.

Police said it began when they saw a driver speeding on the interstate.

A suspect who led troopers on a high speed chase along Interstate 20 in Newton County is dead.

It all started last night around exit 88.

That's where the trooper saw a car speeding east down the interstate.

"The vehicle refused to stop," said Lt. Wendell Wagstaff of the Covington Police Department..

The trooper chased the car to the Alcovy Road exit where investigators said the driver tried to ditch the Georgia State Patrol

"Got off at the exit, came back upon the exit and for a short while traveled the wrong way on the intestate. [He] then turned around came back," said Wagstaff.

Once again heading east on the interstate, the trooper took action to stop the fleeing car.

"The trooper decided it was a safe location to employ the pit maneuver and the pit maneuver was employed," said Wagstaff.

A Covington officer who responded to the call joined the trooper as they closed in on the now stopped car.

"After the vehicle came to a stop the driver of the vehicle opened fire upon the trooper and the Covington Police Department officer," Wagsatff said.

Both lawmen fired back, putting a violent end to the encounter.

Police said there was a female passeneger in the car. She is being questioned by police.

They hope she can shed light on why the driver did not stop.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into the incident. The highway was closed for several hours but reopened early Thursday morning.