Georgetown County, SC — In a tragic series of events on Friday, a high-speed pursuit ended in heartbreak and loss as two individuals leapt from the Highway 41 bridge into the Santee River in an apparent attempt to evade law enforcement. While a woman was rescued from the dangerous current by a quick-acting Georgetown County Sheriff’s deputy, a man lost his life in the waters below.
The incident began when Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to stop a vehicle after discovering that the car’s license plate had been reported stolen. Rather than comply, the vehicle’s occupants fled, initiating a pursuit that spanned across multiple roads, including Highmarket Street, St. Delight Road, and ultimately Highway 41, heading toward Berkeley County.
As the pursuit reached the bridge spanning the Santee River, the suspects brought their vehicle to a sudden halt—leaving it in drive—and bailed out, jumping over the guardrail and into the river below. The unoccupied vehicle continued forward and collided with a Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office patrol car. While the crash did not result in injuries to deputies, attention quickly turned to the urgent situation unfolding in the river below.
The Santee River, known for its unpredictable and swift currents, swept both individuals underneath the bridge. Responding with urgency, a passing boater offered assistance to law enforcement and transported a deputy closer to the scene. The deputy was able to reach the woman, who was visibly struggling to stay afloat, and successfully pulled her from the water to safety.
Unfortunately, the man was not as fortunate. Despite immediate and coordinated efforts by multiple agencies, including the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office dive team, a recovery mission ensued. After a thorough search, divers located and recovered the man’s body from the river. His identity is currently being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The woman, whose condition has not been released, was taken into custody and is expected to face charges related to the incident. It remains unclear what led the couple to flee so drastically, but the investigation is ongoing.
Multiple agencies responded to the emergency, underscoring the gravity and complexity of the situation. Units from Dorchester County, Berkeley County, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, and the Georgetown County Coroner’s Office all played roles in the response and recovery.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers and unpredictability of both criminal flight and the natural elements. Law enforcement officials have expressed their condolences to the family of the deceased and commended the swift and courageous actions of the deputy and the civilian who helped facilitate the river rescue.
Authorities are continuing their investigation and urge anyone with information regarding the events leading up to the chase to contact the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office.