RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — Richland County deputies say a man is dead after crashing his vehicle during a chase with the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
According to the Richland County Sheriff's Department, the pursuit began just after 1:15 a.m. Wednesday when the trooper attempted to make to stop the 2013 Ford Explorer that was doing 88 mph.
The driver exited at the Monticello road exit and made a right turn, he again failed to stop for blue lights and about a minute later crashed into a tree near Wildewood Avenue .
After the collision, the driver was taken to the hospital where he was declared dead.
Richland county coroner Gary Watts has identified the driver as Curtis Antonia Reese, 48, of Cayce. He was not wearing a seat belt. The cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries due to the crash.
Troopers say the SUV was reported stolen out of North Carolina.
Deputies said the Richland County Coroner's Office is conducting a toxicology exam. The collision remains under investigation.