Suspect killed in crash following 2 armed robberies along I-20

Two truck stops along Interstate 20 early were victimized by armed robbers early Monday, and a suspect in the hold-ups was killed when he crashed as a deputy gave chase, according to a Lexington County Sheriff’s Office news release.

The 44 Truck stop was robbed about 4 a.m., and the Hill View Truck Stop was robbed at about 4:45 a.m., the release said. Suspects in both armed robberies matched the same description and drove the same type of car.

While on the way to the scene of the second armed robbery, a deputy passed a vehicle matching the description of the suspects’ car. Shortly after the deputy turned on his blue lights and siren, the car he was pursuing crashed into a tree in the 200 block of Harvey Berry Road.

The driver died at the scene. The only passenger matched the description from both truck-stop armed robberies and was taken into custody, according to the release. The release did not identify either suspect, but said both robberies and the crash remain under investigation.

Detectives are also investigating the role these two suspects might have played in a stabbing incident late Sunday on the 100 block of Fox Trot Trail in Pelion.

Anyone with information about these cases should call the Lexington County Sheriff's Department at 803-785-2400 or CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC. Anonymous tips can be submitted at LexingtonSheriff.com.