I-26 multi-county pursuit ends after driver goes wrong way onto oncoming traffic
NEWBERRY COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– A pursuit lasting more than 30 miles on I-26 ended in Newberry County early Thursday morning after a suspect attempted to flee from law enforcement and drove the wrong way on the interstate, say officials.
Courtesy: Sumter County Sheriff’s Office
Police lights
The pursuit began Thursday, September 17, in Spartanburg County when a white female driving a black Mercedes reportedly fled from deputies on I-26 eastbound after a disturbance call.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol later assumed the pursuit in Laurens County.
As the pursuit entered Newberry County, the suspect was traveling at approximately 140 mph, according to Sheriff Lee Foster.
A Newberry Co. Sheriff’s Office deputy deployed a tire-deflation device, but the suspect continued driving at speeds ranging from 50 to 100 mph, say officials.
During the pursuit, the suspect allegedly attempted to intentionally strike highway patrol troopers on two separate occasions.
After exiting into the weight station at high speed, SC Highway Patrol attempted to immobilize the vehicle, which then went into the median.
The suspect’s vehicle struck the interstate’s cable barrier system, spun around, and began traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-26.
Then, a Newberry County Sheriff’s Office deputy intentionally drove into the suspect’s vehicle to prevent it from continuing into oncoming traffic.
“The decision made by our deputy was a courageous act that placed his own safety at risk to protect innocent motorists,” says Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster. “Statistics consistently show that wrong-way driving on an interstate has a high potential for causing fatal collisions. Our deputy recognized the danger and took decisive action to prevent what could have been a serious or deadly crash involving innocent people.”
Marcy Lynn Goddard, 47, of Moore, S.C. was arrested at the scene and taken by EMS to Newberry Health for minor injuries received from glass and debris in the car.
Goddard faces charges of failure to stop for a law enforcement officer, attempted murder, resisting arrest with a deadly weapon, endangering a highway worker, and driving under the influence.
The circumstances surrounding the collision will be investigated by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
No bond hearing for Goddard has been scheduled yet.
