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In Spartanburg County, South Carolina, authorities have apprehended a man accused of stealing a deputy’s patrol car and initiating a multi-county pursuit.
As reported by the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to a QuikTrip located on Asheville Highway around 9 p.m. on Saturday to attend to an individual experiencing a mental health crisis.
By approximately 9:45 p.m., the individual, identified as William Waters, allegedly took control of a deputy’s patrol vehicle. Despite efforts by law enforcement to prevent his escape, Waters managed to drive away.
During the incident, one deputy was hit by the car’s door and briefly dragged along but fortunately did not sustain any injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities pursued Waters as he refused to stop, leading them on a chase that spanned Spartanburg, Laurens, and Newberry counties. The pursuit concluded when Waters surrendered near mile marker 60 on Interstate 26.
During the chase, one deputy was involved in a wreck near mile marker 53 on Interstate 26. The sheriff’s office said the deputy was extricated from the vehicle and taken by helicopter to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center out of an abundance of caution. The deputy is expected to make a full recovery.
Waters was arrested by and taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center for evaluation. According to jail records he was later booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Center on charges of grand larceny, blue light violations and driving under the influence.