UPDATE: The Richland County Sheriff's Department has clarified that deputies are now unsure whether the deceased in the crash was the passenger or driver.
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. -- The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash that allegedly followed the driver's attempt to elude Richland County deputies.
According to Master Trooper William Bennett, the crash happened around 12:20 a.m. on Legrand Road, about 10 miles north of Columbia. Bennett said a 2016 Nissan SUV was heading west on the road, attempting to escape law enforcement when it left the road to the right, hit a ditch and overturned near the intersection with Edgewater Drive.
One occupant died at the scene, and another was taken to Prisma Health Richland Hospital.
The Richland County Sheriff's Department said the pursuit began with deputies seeing the vehicle, identified as a Nissan Rogue, speeding. The sheriff's department said that as deputies attempted to catch up, they saw the SUV run multiple traffic lights and drive erratically. The department said a deputy turned on his vehicle's blue lights and siren, but the driver refused to stop and crashed after a roughly two-minute chase.
The sheriff's department said both occupants were ejected, and deputies rendered aid to one to be taken by emergency medical personnel. The department said the other died at the scene.
Trooper Bennett said the Richland County Coroner's Office would be responsible for releasing the name of the deceased person.
