Drunken driver hits Jasper police car, injures deputy, leads chase, police say
A Jasper County Sheriff’s Office deputy was taken to the hospital Tuesday night after his cruiser was hit by an alleged drunken driver, who then lead police on a miles-long chase, according to authorities.
Deputy Zeke Dunham was released from Coastal Carolina Hospital following treatment for minor injuries sustained when the driver rear-ended and then side-swiped his patrol car on U.S. 17, said Jasper County Sheriff’s Office Det. Sgt. Jake Higgins.
Dunham was helping in the search for a missing woman from Hardeeville, who has since been found, on U.S. 17 near the hospital when his vehicle was struck shortly after 9 p.m., according to Higgins.
The driver drove off, with a deputy and a Hardeeville police officer in pursuit. The chase reached speeds of 80 mph heading north toward Ridgeland, Higgins said.
Hardeeville police deployed spike strips near Switzerland, flattening the tires on the fleeing car. The driver kept going on the car’s rims, sending sparks flying along the highway until the car stalled and stopped, Higgins said.
Hardeeville police charged the man was charged with failure to stop for blue lights and not having a drivers license. The S.C. Highway Patrol also charged him with DUI and leaving the scene of a crash, according to Higgins.
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.
Conviction on the DUI offense can result in up to 30 days in prison, while 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.
