Georgetown County, S.C. – A man drowned while a woman was rescued after both jumped from a bridge on Highway 41 in an attempt to evade law enforcement on Saturday, according to the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office.
The Incident
Authorities attempted to stop a car after discovering its tag was stolen. The couple, instead of pulling over, drove west on Highmarket Street to St. Delight Road and then to Highway 41 toward Berkeley County.
The suspects stopped the car on a bridge over the Santee River, left the vehicle in drive, and jumped into the water. As the car rolled and hit a sheriff’s office unit, the swift currents pulled both individuals under the bridge.
Rescue and Recovery
A passerby in a boat helped rescue a deputy, who then pulled the woman from the water as she struggled to swim. The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office dive team joined the search for the man, whose body was later recovered from the river.
The man’s identity is being withheld while authorities notify his family.
Agencies Involved
Law enforcement agencies from Dorchester and Berkeley counties, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, and the Georgetown County Coroner’s Office assisted in the rescue and recovery efforts.
This tragic incident highlights the dangers of evading law enforcement. While one suspect was rescued, the man tragically lost his life after jumping into the river. Authorities continue to investigate the situation, with the man’s identity to be released once his family has been notified.
