Former Henry County officer killed in high-speed chase with GSP, authorities say

Written by: A. Smith

Published September 15, 2025 @ 10:01 AM ET

BUTTS COUNTY, Ga. – A man killed in a high-speed chase last weekend in Butts County has been identified as a former Henry County police officer, according to the Georgia Department of Public Safety.

Michael Gonzales, 33, of Forsyth, died Sept. 6 after being ejected from an SUV during a crash on Georgia 87.

The Georgia State Patrol said the incident began just before 7:15 p.m. when a trooper traveling south on GA-87 spotted a gray Dodge Durango heading north at about 100 mph in a 55 mph zone. The trooper turned around to initiate a traffic stop, but Gonzales refused to pull over, authorities said.

Investigators said Gonzales sped through Flovilla, running several stop signs and making multiple turns in an attempt to flee. At one point, the Durango left the roadway near WF Smith Road and Higgins Road, striking a street sign before continuing south on GA-87.

Troopers said they caught up to Gonzales and attempted several times to perform a precision immobilization technique, known as a PIT maneuver. The driver allegedly swerved back and forth to prevent the maneuver.

“Between mile markers 2 and 3, the trooper entered the northbound lane while traveling southbound to set up for a PIT,” GSP said in a statement. “The violator attempted to enter the northbound lane from the southbound lane and induced a PIT. The Durango exited the east side of the roadway, where the front of it struck a tree.”

Gonzales was thrown from the SUV and pronounced dead at the scene.

The Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team responded to investigate the crash.

The Georgia Department of Public Safety confirmed Gonzales had previously served as an officer with the Henry County Police Department.