Police chase ends with crash in Manning
Summerton Police Chief Ray Perdue, second from right, looks over the vehicle involved in a chase that began in Summerton and ended in downtown Manning. Two Charleston men fled the scene of the wreck but were immediately apprehended.
MANNING - Two Charleston men could have learned a few things from the lyrics in old Jim Croce song, "95 was the route you were on, it was not the speed limit sign," when they were clocked driving 96 miles per hour on Interstate 95 in Summerton early Wednesday morning.
Abraham Elijah Jenkins, 24, of Charleston, the driver of the vehicle, was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, failure to stop for blue lights, reckless driving and driving under suspension.
Jaquan Lamar Trone Richardson, 24, of Charleston was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
Jenkins was released Thursday morning on a $35,000 surety bond for the failure to stop and PWID charges and a personal recognizance bond for the DUS charge.
Richardson was released Thursday morning on a $10,000 surety bond.
At around 8:43 a.m. Wednesday, a Summerton police officer was parked and running radar at I-95 mile marker 108 northbound when the officer reported clocking a black Dodge Challenger traveling 96 mph in a 70-mph zone and initiated a traffic stop.
"The vehicle increased its speed and started weaving in and out of traffic," said Summerton Police Chief Ray Perdue. "The vehicle got off the interstate at exit 119 and headed into Manning."
Manning Police Chief Keith Grice said he and his officers heard that a Summerton officer was in pursuit of a vehicle on the interstate and that the vehicle was heading into Manning.
"The vehicle ran through one stop light that was green," Grice said, "but then the car ran through three red stoplights before striking a truck that was pulling a trailer and then running head on into a vehicle on Boyce Street between Church and Brooks streets."
Grice said that the driver of the vehicle and passenger fled on foot.
While searching the suspect's vehicle, officers reported finding three bundles of money totaling $2,900 that were wrapped in rubber bands inside a bag on the passenger's side of the vehicle. Behind the passenger's seat, officers reported finding another bag that contained a clear plastic bag and a white plastic bag with a green leafy substance that is consistent with marijuana inside, along with a black digital scale and additional drug paraphernalia. The officers also reported finding a marijuana cigar on the driver's side floorboard.
"Manning Police spotted the driver of the vehicle on Church Street and made the arrest there," Grice added. "Officers spotted the car's passenger near Huggins and Boundary streets and arrested the man there."
Grice said he wanted to thank the citizens who were standing on the street near where the wreck occurred.
"They pointed out to the officers the directions where the men ran," Grice said. "The two men were captured quickly thanks to their help."
Perdue said the driver of the vehicle will be charged with driving under suspension, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, reckless driving and failure to stop for a blue light and siren. The passenger will be charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
"The Highway Patrol worked the accident," Perdue added. "I'd also like to thank the Manning Police Department and the Clarendon County Sheriff's Office for their assistance."