“Brandon Nunez, 16, Identified as Victim in Fatal Car Crash and High Speed Chase”

On July 14, a high-speed chase ended tragically when a car crashed into a pond, resulting in the death of one teenager and injuring five others. The victim has been identified as Brandon Nunez, a 16-year-old resident of Irmo, according to the Richland County Coroner, Naida Rutherford. The incident is currently being investigated by the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, and the Coroner’s office.

The pursuit began when the South Carolina Highway Patrol attempted to stop a Jeep Cherokee, which then fled from the traffic stop. The suspect’s car reached speeds exceeding 100 mph before crashing into the pond at the Chestnut Hill Plantation subdivision. The vehicle quickly sank into the water, trapping the occupants.

Responding deputies from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department immediately jumped into action, diving into the water to rescue the trapped teenagers. Five individuals, ranging in age from 14 to 18, were successfully rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, Nunez, who was also inside the vehicle, did not resurface.

Multiple agencies, including the RCSD Dive Team, the Columbia-Richland Fire Department, the Irmo Fire District, and the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, collaborated in the search and recovery efforts. Despite the challenging conditions of the muddy pond and darkness, divers tirelessly searched for three hours but were unable to locate Nunez. The search resumed the following morning, and the divers successfully recovered his body.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and authorities are working diligently to determine the circumstances that led to this tragic event. It serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with high-speed chases and the importance of following traffic laws and obeying law enforcement instructions. The loss of Brandon Nunez is a devastating tragedy, and our thoughts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time..