Deputies: Teen identified after a high-speed chase in Sumter County
Investigators say a total of five handguns were recovered from the suspects and a small amount of marijuana.
SUMTER, S.C. (WOLO) – The Sumter County Coroner’s Office has identified the teenager that led deputies and police on a high-speed chase on Friday.
The Coroner says Ravon Harris, 17, died from his injuries on Sunday.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office assisted the the Sumter Police Department on a high-speed chase in pursuit of a silver 2014 Cadillac CTS on Friday, August 25.
According to the deputies, Harris was reported to have been involved in an altercation at the Red Lobster on Broad St. involving several males with guns.
Authorities say during a traffic stop of the vehicle at Old Pocalla Road and Manning Road, the passenger in Harris’ vehicle exited and fled on foot with a handgun. Harris then left at a high rate of speed with a deputy in pursuit with full emergency equipment activated. He refused to stop and continued to travel south on Manning Road and onto Highway 521 South at speeds exceeding 100 mph.
According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, while on Highway 521 South, near Wood Rack Road, Harris lost control of the vehicle and hit an embankment, causing it to flip several times. The deputy immediately requested assistance from EMS and the Fire Department. The deputy was able to use his emergency equipment to extinguish the flames on Harris’ vehicle. He was airlifted to a hospital in Columbia where he died from his injuries on Sunday.
Investigators say a total of five handguns were recovered from the suspects and a small amount of marijuana. Several have been confirmed to have been stolen in a string of motor vehicle break-ins in the city and the county Thursday night, August 24, 2023.
The passenger, who’s a juvenile, was apprehended by the Sumter Police Department and transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia where they will be charged with failure to stop for blue lights.
Sheriff Anthony Dennis expressed concern for the injured juvenile and dismay at the age of the suspects. “It is hard to imagine young people who should be enjoying some of the best days of their lives, getting involved in crime—especially crime that involves guns and running from law enforcement. I am grateful that the actions of the suspects did not cause injury to civilians or the police officers and our deputies. While I pray for the injured juvenile, his friend, and their families, I also pray our young people learn this lifestyle never has a happy ending.”
