FOREST ACRES, S.C. — Forest Acres police said one of their officers did not follow proper procedure during a high-speed suspect pursuit that ended with the crash of a vehicle that contained the suspect and her four children.
The agency released Friday the results of an internal investigation of the incident, which happened back on February 13, 2024.
Police said 37-year-old Ashley Baker was accused that night of shoplifting from multiple stores in the Trenholm Plaza shopping center. Officers said they located Baker's Honda SUV in the parking lot of the center and attempted to stop her, but that she began driving off, nearly hitting a police car as she did.
Sgt. David Pickett began pursuing her through the shopping center and onto Trenholm Road. Police said after three minutes, the patrol car and the SUV collided in the 4100 block of Trenholm Road, causing Baker's car to lose control. The vehicle then flipped over and went down an embankment, eventually coming to a stop in the front yard of a home.
The suspect and her four children got out of the vehicle and were taken to the hospital for treatment. Baker was charged with multiple charges, including child endangerment, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, failure to stop for blue lights, and shoplifting.
The day after the crash Pickett was put on administrative leave after Forest Acres Police began an internal review. The agency also asked the South Carolina Highway Patrol to investigate the cause of the accident.
Forest Acres Police said a review of the incident and their policy concluded that parts of their pursuit policy were violated that nigh; specifically, the agency said their policy doesn't allow for pursuits for non-violent property crimes. They also said Pickett drove in front of the pursuit vehicle in an effort to slow it down, which isn't allowed.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol's investigation is still going on. The agency said no final disciplinary measures will be taken until that review is complete.
Pickett is on military leave and when he comes back he will continue to be on modified assignment duties.
"We want the public to rest assured that appropriate actions will be taken once we fully understand the cause of this crash," said Forest Acres Police Chief Don Robinson in a statement.