Midlands authorities seek man after chase, crash, children abandoned in car
Midlands authorities are searching for a man after he allegedly led deputies on a vehicle pursuit, crashed, then fled on foot, leaving five young children in the car.
Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said in a Thursday release that it is seeking Kiondre Naje Lovely, 31, of Sumter County. The sheriff’s office said Lovely faces charges of failure to stop for a blue light and five counts of child endangerment.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Copley Drive on Thursday afternoon. The driver, believed to be Lovely, allegedly led deputies on a chase, with speeds reaching up to 55 mph in Sumter’s Cherryvale community. The suspect reportedly crashed near Dorsey and Cherryvale drives.
The suspect then reportedly fled the vehicle on foot. Deputies say the suspect’s vehicle caught fire. Five children, between the ages of one and seven, were discovered inside the suspect’s car. Deputies got the kids out of the car and had them checked out by emergency medical services.
The sheriff’s office described Lovely as a Black male, 5 feet 5 inches tall and 140 pounds, with brown eyes and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a tan tie-dyed shirt and blue jeans.
Those who have seen the suspect or have information about the case are encouraged to call 911 or submit a tip at p3tips.com.
