Traffic stop leads to traffic stop, chase, and suicide:  GBI Investigates Death in Brantley County

By Carol A. Gasser Moore

 

 

BRANTLEY COUNTY, Georgia – Corey Ray Beale (33) of Blackshear committed suicide.  As a result, the GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation) is investigating his death at the request of the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) following a traffic stop and chase that started along Highway 84 in Blackshear.

 

What has been learned about the investigation so far is that a Blackshear Police Department (BPD) officer initiated a traffic stop on the car driven by Beale. Driver Beale stopped for a brief interaction with the BPD officer, but sped away.  He lead BPD police on a chase that eventually entered Brantley County.

 

 

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) and Georgia State Patrol (GSP) joined the chase. A GSP Trooper performed a PIT maneuver on Beale’s car.  The PIT maneuver ended the chase along Highway 32 near the intersection of Highways 32 and 301. When Beale’s car came to a stop, Corey Beale committed suicide when he shot himself while inside the car. Beale was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

 

The precision immobilization technique (PIT) may also be correctly termed as a tactical vehicle intervention or TVI.  It is a law enforcement pursuit tactic in which a pursuing vehicle forces another vehicle to turn sideways abruptly.  The move can cause the driver to lose control and stop.

 

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the accident involving the PIT maneuver.

 

 

The GBI has stated that Beale’s body will undergo an autopsy.  He will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in Pooler for that autopsy.

 

 

Independently, the GBI will conduct an investigation into Beale’s death.