Deputy's car strikes suspect

Ladson -- A suspect was struck by an undercover Berkeley County sheriff's car Thursday after the suspect bailed out of a car and into the path of the unmarked Mustang during a lengthy police pursuit.

Events unfolded about 4:30 p.m. when deputies with the narcotics unit witnessed alleged drug activity in a business parking lot at College Park Road and U.S. Highway 78, Dan Moon, Sheriff's Office public information officer, said Friday.

Three suspects sped away in a car when deputies turned on their blue lights and attempted to make an arrest. Deputies pursued the car along U.S. 78, Moon said.

At one point, the suspects' car slowed and a passenger bailed out and rolled into the path of the pursuing undercover car and was struck, Moon said.

The suspects' car kept going on U.S. 78 with other deputies, in a different undercover vehicle, in pursuit, Moon said.

The chase eventually ended when the sheriff's vehicle and the suspects' car collided, said S.C. Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Bob Beres.

Moon said the fleeing car had slammed on its brakes and the deputy's vehicle ran into the back of it. Not much damage was done to the deputy's vehicle, he said.

Two suspects were taken into custody.

Maurice Grant, 17, of U.S. 78, Ladson, was charged with simple possession of marijuana, Moon said. He was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and was expected to be released Friday, Moon said.

The driver, George Mc Kelvey, 39, of Old Highway 52, Moncks Corner, was charged with failure to stop for a blue light, Moon said.

The Highway Patrol's Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team is investigating the crash.

David W. MacDougall contributed to this report. Reach Andy Paras at 937-5589 or aparas@postandcourier.com.