A man who fled from a Gainesville Police patrol officer sustained fatal injuries when his speeding car struck a utility pole near Enota Elementary School late Friday, authorities said.

Gainesville Police Department Lt. Gary Entrekin confirmed late Saturday night that Brandon K. Bledson, 21, of Gainesville, was the driver of the vehicle. Bledson was pronounced dead at Northeast Georgia Medical Center shortly after the wreck, which happened just before midnight Friday.

A state patrol operator said a Gainesville police officer "attempted to stop the vehicle prior to the crash but discontinued action when it became apparent the vehicle would not stop."

Gainesville Police Lt. Floyd Canup said police were called to a report of a suspicious person in a parked car at the Wendy’s restaurant in the 500 block of South Enota. The driver of the 2001 Honda Civic fled, heading north and crossing over the Park Hill Drive intersection before losing control and crashing into a utility pole between Enota Circle and Enota Elementary School, authorities said.

Bledson was thrown from the car.

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the crash because a Gainesville police officer was involved, Gainesville Police Lt. Brian Kelly said. The two agencies are working together in the investigation, he said.