Sumter County K9 eats suspected marijuana after high-speed chase ends with overturned vehicle

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A high-speed chase on Friday morning ended with one vehicle being found upside down and a Sumter County K9 consuming suspected marijuana after a suspect refused to stop for a defective headlight.

According to an incident report, a Sumter County Sheriff's Office deputy passed a gray Nissan Sentra with one working headlight traveling east on Cains Mill Road — in the direction of Lakewood High School — about 12:45 a.m. As the deputy turned around to get behind the Nissan, the suspect reportedly sped away, making a loud squealing sound.

Turning on blue lights and sirens, the deputy followed behind the Nissan, turning left onto Pinewood Road and taking note of the fresh tire marks the suspect left on the asphalt, according to the report.

The Nissan went through the roundabout at Pinewood and Kolb roads, continuing down Kolb at about 100 miles per hour before turning right onto McCrays Mill Road.

The suspect then drove through red lights at the intersection of Lynam and Pinewood roads at about 115 mph. There was no traffic during that portion of the chase, according to the report.

The deputy lost sight of the Nissan at McCrays Mill Road and South Guignard Drive because the windshield of his vehicle was blocked by condensation, the report said.

He later located tire marks going to the left onto South Guignard Drive and was advised that the Nissan was upside down on the embankment at McCrays Mill and South Guignard. The driver had fled the scene.

The responding deputy deployed his K9, who located a clear plastic bag — possibly containing marijuana — before eating the bag.

The track was terminated so the deputy could render aid to the K9.

South Carolina Highway Patrol responded to investigate the wreck.