COLUMBIA — A man was arrested on Sept. 11 for allegedly injuring a state trooper in a crash in Lexington County on Sept. 9.
Jerrod Ricks, 23, faces charges of reckless driving and endangering emergency services personnel, both misdemeanors, following the incident at Augusta and Lost Branch roads. According to the Richland County Sheriff's Department, Ricks struck Master Trooper Wayne LaBounty while he was outside his vehicle conducting a traffic stop. Ricks's vehicle collided with LaBounty, the stopped vehicle, a Lexington County Sheriff's Department vehicle, and another unrelated vehicle.
LaBounty, a 40-year law enforcement veteran, sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to Prisma Richland Hospital. Authorities reported he underwent surgery and is in stable condition.
Ricks was initially held at the Lexington County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing but was no longer present as of late Sept. 11.
This incident follows a concerning trend of collisions involving S.C. Highway Patrol troopers in recent weeks. On Aug. 10, Trooper First Class Dennis Ricks, 31, was fatally struck during a traffic stop, leading to charges of reckless homicide against the involved driver. Additionally, on Sept. 7, Senior Trooper Mitchell Williams Jr. was injured by a truck's side mirror and is currently recovering.
Investigations into these incidents are ongoing.