Naked North Carolina Man Arrested After Running Onto Interstate 85 in Franklin County

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ga. — A North Carolina man was arrested Thursday morning after deputies say he fled naked into the woods and onto Interstate 85 following reports of a suspicious person near Carnesville.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Scott Andrews, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls for service between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. on June 26 regarding a suspicious individual near Neal Road.

Deputies with the Patrol Division encountered the man, later identified as Jacob Southall of Gastonia, North Carolina. Authorities said Southall fled naked into a wooded area toward Interstate 85.

Additional deputies later located Southall on Interstate 85 near Neal Road. After a brief struggle, deputies took him into custody.

Southall was transported to Saint Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia for medical evaluation.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said Southall faces charges of Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer and Public Indecency. However, Sheriff Andrews said deputies are prioritizing treatment because Southall appeared to be experiencing an obvious mental health crisis.

“Our responsibility is to protect and serve the citizens of our beautiful county, and sometimes those responsibilities come in the form of protecting someone from themselves,” Andrews said.

The sheriff’s office noted that if criminal charges proceed, they will follow Southall’s medical treatment.

Officials also encouraged anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, or who has a loved one in crisis, to seek help through available mental health resources.