Suspect in fatal Chester County hit-and-run located, arrested

The suspected driver of the tractor-trailer involved in a fatal hit-and-run on Interstate 77 this week has been located and arrested, according to the S.C. Highway Patrol.

Stevie Breland, 58, of Charleston, is in the Charleston County jail on unrelated charges, according to Lance Cpl. Gary Miller of the Highway Patrol. Troopers have obtained warrants for Breland in connection with Monday’s deadly hit-and-run on I-77 in Chester County.

Flora Ellenburg, 49, of Salisbury, N.C., died at the scene of blunt force trauma to the head due to ejection, authorities have said. Ellenburg was not wearing a seat belt.

The crash happened about 3:45 a.m. Monday at mile marker 59 on I-77, troopers said. A 2000 Ford Explorer and a tractor-trailer were traveling north when the truck apparently struck the SUV in the rear.

The driver of the Explorer, a 36-year-old Orangeburg man, lost control of the vehicle, Miller said, sending it into the median where it overturned.

Ellenburg was a passenger in the Explorer, Miller said. The driver, who was wearing a seat belt, was taken to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte for treatment of injuries.

The vehicle that struck the Explorer, which was believed to be a tractor-trailer, continued north without stopping. Miller said Thursday night that tips troopers received through news and social media helped them locate Breland.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 8:29 PM with the headline "Suspect in fatal Chester County hit-and-run located, arrested."