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Marcus La'Vert Dunbar IV

Age : 19

Gender : Male

Race : Black

Date : 08/16/2024

Location : Deans Bridge Road near Etterlee Road

City : Blythe

County : Richmond

State : Georgia

Agency : Blythe Police Department

Officer(s) :Thomas Ray

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Driver killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 08/16/2024, Marcus Dunbar, 19, was killed along with two teenage passengers when the Mercury Sable he was driving crashed head-on into a pickup truck and caught fire on Deans Bridge Road in Richmond County during a pursuit by Blythe Police Officer Thomas Ray. Dunbar was not officially identified as the driver until September 2024.
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The encounter began at approximately 7:53 p.m. when Officer Thomas Ray clocked the Mercury traveling 71 mph in a 55-mph zone on Deans Bridge Road. Ray attempted to stop the Mercury specifically for the 16-mph speeding violation. Dunbar continued driving and Ray pursued.
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The pursuit continued north on Deans Bridge Road. As the Mercury approached Bath Edie Road, Dunbar entered the southbound lanes while continuing north against traffic. Georgia State Patrol reported that Ray did not follow the Mercury into the wrong-way lanes.
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After traveling approximately another mile against traffic, the Mercury collided head-on with a southbound pickup truck just north of Etterlee Road. The Mercury caught fire and became engulfed in flames. Dunbar and his two passengers, brothers Barry Fields Jr., 15, and Casey Fields, 13, died at the scene.
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The occupants of the pickup truck survived. Georgia State Patrol investigated the fatal collision.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND
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Thomas Ray was the Blythe Police Department officer who initiated the traffic stop for traveling 71 mph in a 55-mph zone and pursued Dunbar before discontinuing the pursuit when the Mercury began traveling against traffic.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://theaugustapress.com/three-dead-after-chase-with-blythe-police-ends-in-tragic-collision-on-deans-bridge-roadtriple-fatality/
https://www.wjbf.com/news/crime-news/3-killed-killed-in-crash-after-fleeing-traffic-stop-on-deans-bridge-road/
https://www.wjbf.com/csra-news/2-of-3-victims-killed-in-fiery-crash-on-deans-bridge-rd-identified/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/car-chase-turns-crash-three-160337737.html
https://augustacrime.com/blythe-officer-didnt-chase-3-augusta-teens-onto-wrong-side-before-deadly-crash/
https://www.wrdw.com/2024/09/11/3rd-teen-officially-identified-victim-fiery-crash-deans-bridge-road/