MCCLELLANVILLE -- A high-speed chase that began with gunfire outside a club here early Saturday ended when the driver of a fleeing vehicle lost control on a country road and crashed into a tree.

The driver, Robert White Jr., 23, of Huger and passenger, Marcus Taylor, 27, of Goose Creek were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Charleston County Coroner's Office.

The incident happened about 2:30 a.m. when deputies received a call from Henry Simmons, owner of Club 17 North. "There were two cars sitting in the parking lot, and I was closing," Simmons said later Saturday. "I heard gunfire and called the officers. They sped off before they got here."

The cars turned around and passed the club, firing more gunshots, Simmons told deputies.

Deputies caught up with one of the vehicles, a Jeep Cherokee, moments later on U.S. Highway 17.

The driver of the Jeep blacked out its headlights and turned onto S.C. Highway 45, a two-lane road that cuts through the Francis Marion National Forest.

A report on the incident said that the fleeing vehicle reached more than 100 mph as it sped deeper into the forest. The deputy, J.S. Jones, said he stayed back 20 car lengths because of "the nature of the road," the report said.

As the road began to curve, Jones said he slowed down more and then watched as the Jeep started to skid.

The Jeep flew off a bank and hit a pine tree at a height of about 15 feet, the report said.

Both occupants were thrown from the vehicle.

The S.C. Highway Patrol is investigating the incident.

Reach Tony Bartelme at 937-5554 or tbartelme@postandcourier.com.

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