Sheriff Provides Details of Bray's Arrest

Update: Read another note from the Sheriff. 

The following is a news release from the Oconee County Sheriff's Office:

Sheriff Scott Berry wishes to announce that Kirk Devin Bray, 38, of Woodbine, Georgia, has been taken into custody in Oconee County.  Bray is facing charges out at least seven counties at this point.  A complete list of charges is not available as of the time of this release. 

Bray was spotted driving a stolen truck out of Greene County in the Epps Bridge area just before 1 p.m.  Bray attempted to elude deputies and crossed the median at least twice in an attempt to get away and in at least point was heading in the wrong direction on Highway 316.  Sgt. Shane Partain took command of the pursuit and gave specific instructions to not pursue the suspect on the wrong side of the road. 

A few moments later, Bray turned south onto the Oconee Connector traveling into oncoming traffic and head on injuring both of its occupants.  The occupants of that vehicle are the grandparents of Sgt. Partain.  They were transported to Athens Regional Medical Center.  Their injuries are not life threatening but are substantial. 

Bray fled into the woods near the Connector.  OCSO personnel established a perimeter, and Oconee County Fire Rescue helped shut down the Connector until the wounded parties were transported and the wreck was cleared.

The Barrow, Greene, and Walton County Sheriffs’ Offices sent personnel to assist along with the Jefferson Police Department, the Georgia State Patrol, and the Motor Carrier Compliance Division of the Georgia Department of Public Safety.  The Winder Police Department helped obtain pictures of the suspect.  We very much appreciate the assistance provided by the other agencies.

After searching the area for several hours, the suspect was captured in the woods between Jennings Mill and 316.  Bray was running from Sgt. Partain and his K9 Deputy “Orion” along with Deputy Clarke Sparrow of the OCSO when the arrest was affected by Jefferson Police Department K9 Officer “Spike” with assistance from his handler, Officer Jay Parker, investigator Donnie Harrison of Greene County, Deputy Byron Smith and Sgt. Jay Higgins both of the OCSO.