Driver accused in deadly I-77 hit-and-run back in Chester County

The driver accused in last week’s fatal hit-and-run on Interstate 77 has been brought back to Chester County and charged, according to jail records.

Stevie Breland, 58, of Charleston, was placed in the Chester County Detention Center Wednesday afternoon, according to jail records. He is charged with hit-and-run involving death and remained jailed without bond Thursday morning. He was arrested in Charleston County late last week on unrelated charges.

Troopers have said a 2000 Ford Explorer and a tractor-trailer were traveling north on I-77 in the early hours of Feb. 8 when the truck apparently struck the SUV in the rear. The driver of the SUV lost control, sending the vehicle into the median where it overturned.

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

The driver of the Explorer, who was wearing a seat belt, was taken to a Charlotte hospital for treatment.

The vehicle that struck the Explorer, which was believed to be a tractor-trailer, continued north without stopping. Troopers said last week that tips received through news and social media helped them locate Breland in Charleston County.

This story was originally published February 18, 2016 at 11:35 AM with the headline "Driver accused in deadly I-77 hit-and-run back in Chester County."