New details have been revealed in the northeast Georgia pursuit of a Columbus murder suspect.

The pursuit occurred hours after Columbus police responded to a hit-and-run involving a white SUV at Summit Pointe Apartments. While investigating, they were alerted that 22-year-old Abigail Cadoura, who drove a similar vehicle, had missed a planned meeting and was unreachable. A welfare check at her apartment led to the discovery of her body with multiple stab wounds.

During the murder and hit-and-run investigation, authorities began tracking her missing SUV, which led to deputies in Banks County, Georgia receiving a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert for a murder suspect identified as 26-year-old Luke Mercardante of Covington, Georgia.

A Banks County deputy spotted the suspect’s vehicle traveling southbound on I-85 between mile markers 154 and 149 and attempted a traffic stop. Mercardante fled, initiating a short pursuit. He exited at the 149 ramp and attempted to reenter the interstate southbound but lost control of the vehicle and crashed on the 149 entrance ramp.

Deputies quickly detained Mercardante without further incident. He was evaluated for minor injuries at a local hospital before being transported to the Banks County Detention Center.

In addition to the murder charge from Columbus, the Banks County Sheriff’s Office has issued local warrants related to the pursuit and crash. Mercardante remains in custody, pending extradition and further legal proceedings.