Towns Co. deputy stable after being stabbed by suspect

HIAWASSEE - A Towns County Sheriff's Office deputy suffered a severe stab wound early Wednesday morning in an altercation with a suspect in downtown Hiawasee.<br /> <br /> The Sheriff's Office said in a press statement that the Hiawasee Police Department made a traffic stop in the parking lot of Mull's Motel on N. Main Street. Two Towns County deputies were called to assist, and when officers tried to take the suspect into custody, he ran from them.<br /> <br /> Deputies chased 28-year-old Daniel Lee Bower to the parking lot of a nearby Hardee's restaurant. During the struggle, Bower allegedly stabbed Deputy Aaron Deyton in the neck. Authorities did not say what weapon Bower used in the attack.<br /> <br /> Deyton was airlifted to Northeast Georgia Medical Center where he underwent surgery. He remained in stable condition at last report.<br /> <br /> Authorities did not indicate what charges have been filed against Bower, who is from Hayesville, North Carolina. <br /> <br /> The GBI has been asked to handle the investigation.