A man remains in jail after authorities say he stole a deputy’s patrol vehicle and led law enforcement on a dangerous multi-county chase through the Upstate late Saturday night. The incident involved multiple agencies, high speeds on Interstate 26, and injuries to two deputies a type of high-risk pursuit car accident lawyers often examine when police chases result in injuries or roadway dangers.
Officials say the chase began during a call related to a mental health episode and escalated into a high-risk pursuit across several counties.
Initial Call at Spartanburg County Gas Station
According to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called around 9 p.m. to a QuikTrip on Asheville Highway after receiving a report of a person experiencing a mental health episode.
Investigators said deputies were on scene for approximately 45 minutes. During that time, the individual identified as 34 year old William Waters was sitting in a vehicle with a family member while deputies awaited further steps.
Patrol Car Taken During the Call
Officials said deputies stayed nearby during the call. Meanwhile, Waters exited his vehicle and entered a patrol car. He quickly drove away before deputies could react. During this moment, the driver’s door hit one deputy. The deputy was dragged briefly along the road. However, he did not suffer serious injuries.
Pursuit Through Multiple Counties
Deputies tried to stop the stolen patrol car, but Waters refused to pull over. As a result, officers began a pursuit. They briefly lost sight of the vehicle. However, a work phone inside the patrol car helped them track its location.
Waters then entered Interstate 26 and drove through several counties. These included Spartanburg, Laurens, and Newberry. During the chase, he drove over 100 miles per hour. Therefore, the pursuit created dangerous conditions for everyone on the road.
Deputy Injured During the Chase
During the chase, another deputy crashed near mile marker 53. Emergency teams airlifted the deputy to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Doctors expect a full recovery.
Chase Ends and Suspect Taken Into Custody
The chase ended near mile marker 60 on Interstate 26. A tire on the patrol car blew out, which forced Waters to stop. He then surrendered without resistance. Officers took him to a hospital for evaluation. Afterward, they transported him to the Spartanburg County Detention Center.
Charges Filed and Investigation Ongoing
Court records show several charges against Waters. These include grand larceny, blue light violations, and driving under the influence. Officials are reviewing the incident to improve procedures. They want to prevent similar cases in the future.
In addition, the South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the crash involving the injured deputy.
Risks of High-Speed Chases
High-speed chases create serious risks for officers and the public. Stolen emergency vehicles increase confusion for other drivers. Therefore, agencies must balance enforcement with safety.
Community Impact
Incidents like this disrupt traffic and endanger lives. They also place pressure on emergency services. The chase affected multiple counties, which increased its impact.
Officials stressed the need for review and accountability after such incidents.
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