Newberry County Sheriff’s Office: Woman facing kidnapping, additional charges after Sunday chase

April Dawn Smith
Source: Newberry County Sheriff’s Office

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office says a woman was arrested Sunday morning after leading law enforcement on a chase with a passenger in the car.

Around 10 a.m., deputies say they received a 911 call reporting someone driving recklessly on I-26 West near the interchange for SC Highway 219. Minutes later, authorities say they received a 911 call from a man who was asking for help and to be let out of the passengers seat of a car. Newberry County EMS reported seeing the car driving erratically, with the man in the passenger seat making hand gestures. When a deputy tried to stop the vehicle, authorities say the vehicle sped off until a Whitmire City police officer later deployed a tire deflating device. Officials say the chase proceeded into Union County, where the vehicle wrecked on railroads near Carlisle. Authorities say they then arrested 35-year-old April Dawn Smith, of Grover, North Carolina.

According to investigators, the man was waiting at a bus stop when Smith pulled up and offered him a ride. Once he was in the car, officials say she began acting aggressively towards the man, driving recklessly and even assaulted him with a hair brush at one point. Authorities say the man was able to get out of the vehicle when he pulled its emergency break, slowing it down enough for him to escape.

Investigators add that the car Smith drove was stolen from Columbia.

Deputies say Smith will be charged with failure to stop for law enforcement, kidnapping and additional charges may be added.