NORTH CHARLESTON — A Lowcountry man has been arrested following a crash in Orangeburg County that critically injured a state trooper.
According to the Lexington County Sheriff's Department, Anthony Aydlette, 45, of Hanahan, was charged with driving under suspension. He was arrested after the incident, which occurred around 2 a.m. on August 10 along Interstate 26.
Trooper First Class Dennis Ricks was conducting a traffic stop outside his marked patrol vehicle when he was struck by a box truck. Ricks, who was on duty with his blue lights activated, was transported to Trident Medical Center in North Charleston, where he remains in critical condition.
Authorities stated that additional details about the crash and the circumstances surrounding Aydlette's arrest are pending. Ricks, a member of the S.C. Highway Patrol since January 2023, serves Troop 7, Post B, which covers Orangeburg and Calhoun counties.
Ricks sustained severe injuries including a significant brain injury, kidney bleeding, and multiple broken bones. His wife, Jade Riley Ricks, has shared updates on social media, expressing her distress over his condition.
A fundraiser has been established by the nonprofit group Serve and Connect to support Ricks' family, with all donations directed to them, as confirmed by the South Carolina Troopers Association. Law enforcement colleagues are rallying around Ricks, with Col. Christopher Williamson emphasizing the support he is receiving from fellow officers.