GBI Investigates Death in Habersham County After Attempted Traffic Stop and Chase

Clarkesville, GA (March 4, 2024) – The GBI is investigating the death of William Charles Lamberti, age 48, of Demorest, GA, at the request of the Clarkesville Police Department, following a traffic stop and chase along Georgia Highway 115 in Habersham County, Georgia on March 3, 2024. 

At around 10:00 p.m., Clarkesville Police initiated a traffic stop on a truck driven by Lamberti.  Lamberti refused to stop and led police on a chase. There was a passenger in the vehicle with Lamberti. The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office and Demorest Police Department joined the chase. A Habersham County Sheriff’s deputy performed a PIT maneuver on Lamberti’s truck, which ended the pursuit. The truck, driven by Lamberti, came to a stop near Georgia Highway 115 and Habersham Mills Road. Lamberti then shot himself inside the truck. EMS treated Lamberti and took him to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.   

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the accident because of the PIT maneuver.   

Lamberti will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.