High-speed chase in stolen car ends in deadly crash near I-77, SC sheriff says

The driver of a stolen car who led South Carolina law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase early Tuesday morning was killed in a crash with another vehicle, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

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Deputies got involved at about 3:10 a.m., when they responded to a call about a burglary in the 1800 block of Harlem Street, the sheriff’s department said in a news release. That’s in a part of Columbia near Exit 6 on I-77, which is the junction with Shop Road.

The burglary suspect stole multiple items from the victim’s home, including her car keys, then drove away in the victim’s vehicle, according to the release. Deputies circulated the area and located the stolen vehicle near Parklane Road and Two Notch Road, where they attempted a traffic stop, the sheriff’s department said.

The vehicle briefly slowed before accelerating and speeding away, according to the release. During the pursuit, the suspect lost control of the vehicle near Parklane Road and Farrow Road but continued driving, the sheriff’s department said.

The suspect then drove into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with another vehicle near the intersection of Farrow Road and I-77, according to the release. That’s about 14 miles from where deputies initially responded to the burglary.

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The driver of the stolen car, who was the only person in that vehicle, died at the scene, the sheriff’s department said.

The Richland County Coroner’s Office has not publicly identified the burglary suspect who was driving the stolen vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle that was hit by the stolen car was hurt and taken by EMS to a local hospital, according to the release. Further information on that driver’s condition was not available.

No other injuries were reported.