High-speed chase in stolen car ends in deadly crash near I-77, SC sheriff says
The driver of a stolen car who led South Carolina law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase early Tuesday morning was killed in a crash with another vehicle, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies got involved at about 3:10 a.m., when they responded to a call about a burglary in the 1800 block of Harlem Street, the sheriff’s department said in a news release. That’s in a part of Columbia near Exit 6 on I-77, which is the junction with Shop Road.
The burglary suspect stole multiple items from the victim’s home, including her car keys, then drove away in the victim’s vehicle according to the release. Deputies circulated the area and located the stolen vehicle near Parklane Road and Two Notch Road, where they attempted a traffic stop, the sheriff’s department said.
The suspect was operating a 2013 Kia Optima, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The vehicle briefly slowed before accelerating and speeding away, according to the release. During the pursuit, the suspect lost control of the Kia near Parklane Road and Farrow Road but continued driving, the sheriff’s department said.
The suspect then drove north in the southbound lanes on Farrow Road before colliding head-on with a 2025 Infiniti QX60 near the intersection of Farrow Road and I-77, according to Master Trooper William Bennett. That’s about 14 miles from where deputies initially responded to the burglary.
The driver of the stolen car, who was the only person in that vehicle, died at the scene, the sheriff’s department said.
The Richland County Coroner’s Office has not publicly identified the burglary suspect who was driving the stolen vehicle.
The driver of the Infiniti was hurt and taken by EMS to a local hospital, according to the release. Further information on that driver’s condition was not available.
No other injuries were reported.
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This story was originally published June 23, 2026 at 12:48 PM with the headline "High-speed chase in stolen car ends in deadly crash near I-77, SC sheriff says."
