Truck thief from Jefferson charged with murder after fatal police chase

By Joe Johnson

A Gainesville man was killed Wednesday evening during a police chase in Hall County involving a stolen pickup truck, according to the Georgia State Patrol.

Troopers spotted a Chevrolet Silverado that had been reported stolen from a dealership when 35-year-old Daniel Thomas Davis of Jefferson led them on a high speed pursuit

During the chase, troopers attempted two Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuvers but both were unsuccessful and Davis later struck another vehicle, forcing it off the roadway and crashing into a stand of trees.

The driver of that vehicle, identified as 50-year-old Agustin Rivera of Gainesville, later died from his injuries.

Davis was arrested after a trooper successfully another PIT maneuver and then tased him as he tried running away.

Davis was booked into the Hall County Jail on charges that included murder, felony fleeing or attempting to elude, DUI, and motor vehicle theft.