Lexington County man killed in crash during police chase

A Lexington County man died when his car crashed during a police chase late Wednesday, according to the coroner.

Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher on Thursday identified the man as 26-year-old Jawara A. Brunson of Batesburg-Leesville.

Brunson died in a crash on the 300 block of Highland Avenue in the Batesburg-Leesville area, Fisher said. He tried to evade a traffic stop by Batesburg police, prompting a pursuit.

During the chase, Brunson was traveling east on Highland Avenue when his Nissan ran off the right side of the roadway and hit a garbage can, according to Cpl. Judd Jones of the S.C. Highway Patrol. He lost control, and the car exited the left side of the roadway.

The car crashed into a tree and overturned, Fisher said. Brunson was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene.

The Highway Patrol is investigating the collision. 

This is the second deadly crash in Lexington County this week and the fifth in the county so far this year. As of Monday, there had been three traffic fatalities on Lexington County roadways this year compared to one at the same time last year. 

The State took an in-depth look last year at police pursuits in South Carolina, including police agencies’ protocols for initiating pursuits and the dangers of pursuits.

This story was originally published February 7, 2019 at 9:23 AM.