Woman Attempts to Avoid Arrest By Covering Herself in Leaves and Twigs, Deputies Say

This was no Cinderella story.

An Athens woman who attempted to flee from an Oconee County Sheriff's deputy Thursday morning around 1:30 lost a shoe in the process, which proved helpful in her capture.

According to a Chief Deputy Lee Weems, 35-year-old Tonya Fattig of Garnett Ridge Road was driving a 2000 Chevy Blazer on US Highway 441 south near Racetrac.  Deputy Brad Williams attempted to initiate a traffic stop when Fattig "suddenly accelerated to a high rate of speed" and turned left onto Georgia 15, running a red light, Weems said.  Fattig then pulled into a driveway in the 100 block of North Main Street and fled on foot into the woods, leaving behind a sandal, he said.

Deputy Williams and Sgt. Shane Partain secured two passengers in the vehicle, a man and a woman.  Neither were charged, Weems said. 

Then the canine traveling with Deputy Williams sniffed the sandal and led deputies 75 yards away straight to Fattig, who had covered herself with leaves and sticks, he said.  The entire incident took place within a matter of minutes.

Fattig was charged with fleeing and attempting to elude, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, driving on a suspended license and failure to obey a traffic control device.  She was released on a $4,200 bond.

Weems said during a search of the vehicle, deputies found a small, plastic bag with a white substance that will be tested, and additional charges may be filed.

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