Two-County Chase Ends in Collision, Leaving Two Injured
A high-speed pursuit involving an unmarked police vehicle and a stolen Jeep Compass escalated into a crash that injured two individuals on Oct. 26, 2024, in Georgetown County.
According to authorities, the chase began when Officer McDermott, part of the Street Crimes Unit, spotted the stolen vehicle near Conway. After briefly losing sight of the Jeep, McDermott relocated it on U.S. 701 South, heading toward Georgetown.
McDermott attempted to pull over the Jeep, but the driver fled at dangerously high speeds, reportedly exceeding 100 mph and disregarding traffic laws, including driving on the wrong side of the road. The chase lasted nearly 10 miles before the Jeep collided with a Kia near Trinity Road.
At the time of the crash, the Jeep was traveling at 109 mph, police said. Mostowski, the driver of the Kia, and Shortridge, a passenger, sustained permanent injuries requiring extensive medical treatment.
Lawsuits filed against McDermott allege negligence, claiming he failed to prioritize civilian safety and did not follow proper protocols during the high-speed chase.
The incident is under investigation, and details regarding possible emergency response and lane closures have not been released.