SCSO: Stolen truck burst into flames as suspect tries to escape duties

SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– A man was arrested after a Sumter County deputy patrolling on I-95 noticed a pickup truck driving northbound above the speed limit, says SCSO.

Investigators say the deputy’s radar indicated the truck was traveling at 94 mph so the deputy activated the patrol vehicle’s lights and siren and pursued the speeding truck.

After traveling about 2.5 miles, the truck’s engine burst into flames while spraying fuel on the deputy’s car that Tuesday morning.

Then the truck eventually left the road near the 140 mile marker and crashed into a fence line beside the interstate, say Sumter County deputies.

Another deputy arrived to the scene and saw the suspect running along the fence line.

He then darted across the interstate around 150 yards north of the crash and into the wooded area on the southbound side of the interstate.

Sumter County Sheriff’s Office says additional deputies, including K9 teams arrived to the scene to begin the search for the suspect.

K9 Deputy Tara tracked the suspect and found Donald Edward Reed hiding in a ditch, where he was taken into custody and placed under arrest.

The sheriff’s office says after further investigating, it was revealed that the truck had been stolen from a Colleton County resident.

Law enforcement also found out that Reed is from Texas and was identified as a violent offender and a threat to law enforcement.

SCSO says even though Reed refused to see the EMS, he was taken to Tuomey to be examined.

Afterward, he was taken to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and is being held for the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office.

He is being charged with failure to stop for a blue light, speeding 30 mph over speed limit, and striking fixtures on or adjacent to highway.