FOREST ACRES, S.C. — A 19-year-old driver is facing multiple charges - and along with two innocent victims is reportedly recovering from injuries - after leading Richland County deputies on a chase that ended in a crash on Thursday morning.
According to a statement from the Forest Acres Police Department, which was not involved in the chase, the crash happened around 10 a.m. after a stolen car that had been running from Richland County Sheriff's Department deputies collided with another.
The crash left the driver of the suspect vehicle, 19-year-old Kimora Hartfield, seriously injured. Forest Acres Police said that two other people in the other vehicle were also injured and all three were taken to an area hospital for treatment.
“Our thoughts are with the two citizens tragically injured while this suspect was fleeing justice,” said Chief Don Robinson.
Authorities said the chase actually began on Broad River Road after the driver refused to stop for deputies. The driver reportedly drove onto I-20 and then Percival Road before getting onto Forest Drive where the crash happened not far from Beltline Boulevard near the Richland Mall.
Forest Acres Police said Richland County is now handling the investigation. The sheriff's department said in a later statement that the suspect driver, Hartfield, will be booked into Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on charges of failure to stop for blue lights, driving without a license, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
“We have no doubt the Richland County Sheriff’s Office will pursue charges to the greatest extent under the law," Chief Robinson said in Thursday's statement.
