An Augusta felon was killed and a passenger survived after a high-speed police chase ended in a violent crash and car fire Saturday night in Columbia County, authorities said.
Martel Kyles, 45, was behind the wheel of a gold Toyota Camry when a Columbia County Sheriff’s deputy attempted a traffic stop around 11 p.m.. on Jimmie Dyess Parkway near the I-20 eastbound ramp. Kyles, wanted in Richmond County for simple assault and flagged as potentially violent, refused to stop and initiated a pursuit that spanned several major roads and reached speeds of over 100 mph.
The chase looped through Columbia County, with deputies reporting Kyles repeatedly veering into oncoming traffic, running cars off the road, and losing control of his lane. Stop sticks were successfully deployed on Wrightsboro Road, puncturing the driver’s side tires. Despite the damage, Kyles continued at high speed.
As he approached the intersection of Wrightsboro Road and John Deere Parkway at roughly 90 mph, Kyles attempted a hard right turn but lost control, a sheriff’s report says. His vehicle skidded across the road, jumped a raised median, and struck a large sign before flipping and landing on its roof.
The crash left Kyles and his front-seat passenger, 23-year-old Shaderrious Gibson, trapped inside as the vehicle began to catch fire. Deputies broke through windows to free Gibson, who was alert and conscious with no major injuries. He was taken to Doctors Hospital.
Kyles, who was not wearing a seatbelt, suffered severe trauma and was found unresponsive inside the overturned car with significant bleeding. Deputies and EMS attempted lifesaving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene following a DNR order from a physician.
Kyles had an extensive criminal history, including multiple stints in prison for drug possession, terroristic threats, obstruction, and false imprisonment. At the time of his death, he faced pending charges from a 2024 Columbia County arrest for sexual battery, simple battery, and parole violation.
No deputies were injured during the pursuit.
(Note: If you have another photo of Kyles to share, please text it to 803-487-3224.)
