Traffic cams assist in hardware store crash arrest

The driver allegedly responsible for plowing through the front doors of Moore’s Lumber & Hardware and leaving a significant swath of destruction through the store on the evening of July 21 has been arrested with an assist from recently installed license plate reading cameras, according to officials with the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office.
Carter Ryan Coryell, 21, of Waleska was taken into custody at a roadside stop near Clay Creek Road last Tuesday following an investigation into the midnight crash.
He was charged with hit-and-run.
“The truck drove through the front doors of the business and, as a witness described it, it practically traveled to the back wall of the store,” said Lt. Alan Roach of the LCSO.
Manager Melissa Baker said the only thing that halted the Dodge pickup was a support beam.
“The pole is what stopped him,” she said, after the accident. “He would have kept going… He’s lucky he didn’t impale himself. It was close to his head.”
Security cameras caught blurry footage of the driver immediately pulling back out into the parking lot and fleeing the scene.
Following the accident, Coryell reportedly parked the truck and explained that his once gleaming pickup was damaged when he veered into a wooded area.
“He told others that he had run off the road into the woods,” said Roach.
A few days later investigators came across footage of the truck just prior to the crash on the Flock camera system.
“The truck was coming down the road and pulling a trailer that was registered to his employer,” said Roach.
After following up on the information, deputies were reportedly able to tie Coryell to the accident.
“When they interviewed him he admitted to everything,” said Roach.
Sheriff Stacy Jarrard said the Flock license plate reading surveillance technology was crucial in the arrest.
The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of the two cameras a little more than a year ago amid some concern among residents who considered the technology an invasion of privacy.
“Flock cameras are one of the best technologies that have come along for law enforcement in a long time,” he said. “… It just really helps the investigation and fast tracks the investigation.”
Roach echoed that sentiment.
“This is a perfect example of utilizing Flock to be able to solve a case in a hurry,” he said.
Despite the substantial damage to the front of the store, Moore’s Hardware opened the following day after the crash.
“I just opened an hour late,” said Baker.
Following the arrest, Jarrard said he wanted to thank his deputies for tracking down the suspected culprit.
“I’d like to thank them for the hard work,” said Jarrard. “I’m glad no one was injured and I’m glad we were able to solve it in a fast matter.”
Coryell was released from Lumpkin County Detention Center on a $3,700 bond.