Man Dies From Self-Inflicted Gunshot After Multi-County Chase on I-75, GBI Investigating

TIFTON, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into the death of a man following a vehicle pursuit that began after a crash and ended along Interstate 75 in South Georgia.

According to the GBI, the incident occurred around 1 p.m. April 21, 2025, when a Georgia State Patrol trooper attempted to stop a vehicle driven by 36-year-old Dyllyn Willoughby of Fort Payne, Alabama, after witnessing his vehicle strike another car in Crisp County.

Authorities said Willoughby refused to stop, leading troopers on a pursuit that continued into Tift County.

During the chase, investigators said Willoughby pointed a handgun at the pursuing trooper.

The pursuit ended on I-75 South near Exit 59 after a trooper performed a PIT maneuver, disabling the vehicle.

As officers attempted to take Willoughby into custody, authorities said he fired a gun and was later pronounced dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Investigators said no law enforcement officers discharged their weapons during the incident.

Willoughby’s body will be taken to the GBI Crime Lab in Macon for an autopsy.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Sylvester at 229-777-2080. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.