A tragic high-speed chase came to a devastating end early Saturday morning in a suburb of Columbia, South Carolina. The chase began when a Jeep Cherokee fled a traffic stop initiated by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The Jeep reached speeds exceeding 100 mph before crashing into a pond in the Chestnut Hill Plantation subdivision.
The car was carrying six teenagers, and one of them, 16-year-old Brandon Nunez from Irmo, lost his life in the crash. The Richland County Coroner’s Office initially withheld his name to notify his family. The cause of Nunez’s death has not been released.
Deputies from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department immediately dove into the water to rescue the other occupants of the submerged vehicle. Five individuals between the ages of 14 and 18 were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital with injuries. Unfortunately, one person did not resurface, and the search for the missing teen was called off after three hours due to the difficult conditions.
The search resumed on Saturday morning, and divers recovered Nunez’s body just after 10 a.m. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Columbia Police Department will be investigating the pursuit and crash.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of high-speed chases and the potential consequences for everyone involved. It also highlights the bravery and dedication of the first responders who risked their lives to rescue the teenagers from the submerged vehicle.
As more details emerge, it is important to remember the impact that this event has had on the families and friends of those involved. Our thoughts and condolences go out to them during this difficult time..
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