Hilton Head man charged after police say he tore through Bluffton at more than 100 mph
An 18-year-old Hilton Head Island man who police said was drunk and lead them on a chase through Old Town Bluffton in which he drove more than 100 mph was free on bond Friday and faces a variety of charges, according to the Bluffton Police Department.
The suspect faces eight charges including one count of DUI first offense, one count of failure to stop for blue lights, one count of reckless driving, one count of open container, one count of broken seal of alcohol, one count of false representation of age to purchase liquor, one count of driving without a license and one count of having a fake ID, according to Beaufort County Detention Center jail logs.
All the charges are misdemeanors. The Island Packet does not name those charged with misdemeanors unless they are in a position of authority or public trust.
The DUI offense carries up to 30 days in prison. The failure to stop for police charge carries at least 90 days in jail or up to three years in prison, according to S.C. law.
Police said they first spotted the driver as he was speeding over 100 mph down Dr. Mellichamp Drive just before midnight Thursday, according to Bluffton Police Department Capt. Joe Babkiewicz.
He said a second officer saw him turn “recklessly” onto May River Road. The driver was going too fast for those officers to overtake him, but two more officers were lying in wait further down May River Road, according to Babkiewicz.
Once he passed them, the two began a pursuit. When the driver reached the traffic circle at SC 46 and SC 170, his car struck a curb, flattening one of the tires, Babkiewicz said.
Babkiewicz said the driver pulled over and police arrested him without incident early Friday morning.
He was taken to the Bluffton Police Department where he failed a breathalyzer test, according to Babkiewicz.
The suspect was released on a personal recognizance bond and left the Beaufort County Detention Center later on Friday morning, according to jail logs.
