Man accused of leading authorities on multi-county pursuit of stolen concrete truck, hangs himself in Columbia County Jail

UPDATE 3/4/23: – The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says an inmate who was accused of stealing a concrete truck on Monday, has committed suicide in jail at the Columbia County Detention Center on Friday.

According to authorities, 41-year-old Erik Adam Bodie was found deceased in his cell at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Friday after dying by suicide.

According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, an autopsy has been scheduled.

COLUMIBA COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) – An arrest was made after a driver tried to steal a concrete truck in Columbia County.

According to Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the concrete truck was reported stolen from the Gaspro at 4800 Columbia Road in Columbia County shortly after 9 a.m. Monday.

According to authorities, a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputy was in pursuit of someone driving a stolen concrete truck on I-20W, and troopers were notified.

Authorities say that a trooper from Grovetown Post 25 became the primary unit on I-20W at mile marker 183 in Columbia County.

According to authorities, two troopers tried to use stop sticks to stop the driver in the concrete truck in order to bring the pursuit to an end; however, it was not successful as the driver exited I-20 at GA 22 in Taliaferro County, continuing north before entering I-20W.

The driver has been identified as 41-year-old Erik Adam Bodie.

Authorities state that then, Taliaferro County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to use stop sticks on I-20W at mile marker 148, but Bodie swerved towards the deputies and drove around the stop sticks.

According to authorities, a trooper riding in a passenger seat of another trooper’s patrol car was able to safely fire rounds into the radiator and hydraulic tanks near mile marker 146, which ultimately disabled the truck.

Authorities say that Bodie was then taken into custody.

The charges filed against Bodie in Columbia County alone include Felony Theft by Taking, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, two charges of Fleeing/Attempt to Elude a Police Officer for a Felony Offense, Failure to Obey Traffic-Control Devices, two counts of Reckless Driving, and Aggravated Assault.

For the Felony Theft by Taking, Aggravated Assault, and Fleeing/Attempt to Elude a Police Officer for Felony Offense charges, bond for Bodie has been denied.