GREENVILLE, S.C. — A Friday afternoon chase in nearby Spartanburg County ended in a fatal crash on U.S. Highway 221, putting Upstate drivers on notice about a deadly pursuit that spilled onto a busy corridor close to Greenville.
Spartanburg County deputies said they tried a traffic stop on a vehicle that carried a wanted burglary suspect. When the driver did not stop, a pursuit continued onto U.S. Highway 221.
At U.S. Highway 221 and Bryant Road, the fleeing vehicle collided with two other vehicles. The driver of the car involved in the chase was pronounced dead at the scene around 1:06 p.m., officials said.
Occupants of the other cars were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, with the Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office and local fire departments also responding.
Officials said Highway 221 was temporarily closed after the wreck. An autopsy was scheduled for Monday, and authorities described the fleeing vehicle as a 1998 Jeep that struck a Subaru SUV and a GMC pickup.
For Greenville, S.C., motorists and Upstate families, the Friday crash underscores how quickly a Spartanburg County pursuit can shut down a major route and send multiple vehicles to the hospital even when the chase ends a short drive from home.