Driver dies in fiery crash after fleeing from police

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – South Carolina troopers say a driver speeding away from an officer who was trying to pull the car over has died in a fiery crash.

The Highway Patrol said a Forest Acres office attempted a traffic stop Sunday morning.

Troopers say the driver sped off, then lost control of the Nissan Altima and crashed into utility poles and a fence on U.S. Highway 1 about 5 miles northeast of downtown Columbia.

Authorities say the driver was trapped in the car and it caught fire. The coroner has not released the driver’s name.

Forest Acres Police have not said why the officer was trying to pull over the car.