COLUMBIA — Two men were arrested following a reckless driving pursuit that culminated in a crash on Interstate 77 near Fort Jackson on March 9.
According to the Richland County Sheriff's Department, deputies attempted a traffic stop on Two Notch Road for dangerous driving at approximately 2:41 p.m. The driver fled, accelerating and weaving through traffic in an attempt to evade capture.
The pursuit lasted about 15 minutes before ending when the vehicle collided with multiple others on I-77, rendering it inoperable. Witnesses reported that both the driver and passenger exited the car and fled on foot, crossing several lanes of traffic before being apprehended by deputies.
Cortez Jones, 26, was identified as the driver, while Lorenzo Chandler, 35, was the passenger. Both were taken to a local hospital after their arrest but were later cleared and booked into Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. They have since been released on bond.
Jones is charged with driving with a suspended South Carolina license and using improper vehicle registration. Chandler faces a charge of “pedestrians prohibited on freeways,” which prohibits crossing interstates unless directed by law enforcement.
The incident remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The affected area of I-77 is known to handle over 100,000 vehicles daily, according to SCDOT data.