Nationwide — University of Georgia football player Nyier Daniels is facing a long list of charges after authorities say he led officers on multiple high-speed chases that topped 100 mph through Commerce, Georgia, on Sunday. Police allege that the 19-year-old athlete fled an attempted traffic stop, triggering a chaotic pursuit that also resulted in the arrest of his mother as she tried to use her vehicle to block police.
According to Commerce Police, the incident began when an officer pulled over a car in downtown Commerce for running a stop sign. As the officer spoke with the driver—later identified as Daniels’ mother—a second vehicle raced past at more than 100 mph in a 25-mph zone. Police say the speeding car was driven by Daniels, immediately shifting the officer’s attention to the new threat.
11 Alive reports that the officer abandoned the initial stop and tried to catch up to Daniels, who reportedly sped down North Broad Street before weaving through several back roads, including Old Maysville Road, Maysville Road, King Road, and Wofford Drive. Officials say the pursuit grew increasingly dangerous as Daniels continued to accelerate through the city.
A Commerce Police supervisor attempted to join the chase but was hindered when Daniels’ mother allegedly pulled her car into the road to block him. Officers say she also refused to stop, accelerating down Maysville Road at over 100 mph. The supervisor eventually maneuvered around her and tried to reconnect with the primary officer, who had already lost sight of Daniels near mile marker 144 on I-85 south. Police discontinued the pursuit due to safety concerns.
Officers waited at mile marker 145 for Daniels’ mother, who drove past moments later. She was stopped and arrested, facing charges that include speeding, fleeing, running stop signs, obstruction, failure to maintain lane, and reckless driving. Investigators say no one was injured during the dangerous series of events.
Later that day, Daniels arrived voluntarily at the Commerce Police Department after a UGA coach brought him in along with the vehicle involved. He was charged with felony fleeing, reckless driving, speeding, driving on the wrong side of the road, passing in a no-passing zone, multiple equipment violations, failure to maintain lane, and two counts of cruelty to children. Police have not yet released additional details regarding the child-related charges.