Sleeping woman killed when car crashes into house and lands on top of her, SC coroner says

A South Carolina woman was killed when a car that was being pursued by law enforcement crashed into the basement of a home and landed on top of her, according to officials.

It happened just after 11:30 p.m. Monday in the Seneca area of Oconee County, according Sgt. Bill Rhyne of the S.C. Highway Patrol.

Troopers had set up a license checkpoint at the intersection of Wells Highway and Owens Road, Rhyne said. A 2008 Ford Crown Victoria approached the checkpoint, slowed almost to a stop and then sped away.

A trooper attempted a traffic stop on Wells Highway, and after a brief pursuit, the trooper notified dispatch that the car had crashed into a house, Rhyne said.

The vehicle came to rest on top of a woman, who was in bed asleep, Oconee County Coroner Addis said. The woman, identified as 39-year-old Vanessa Leanne Neimeyer, died at the scene.

Neimeyer had been living in the home with her mother and grandparents, Addis said. An autopsy is expected at a later date.

The driver, 19-year-old El Hadrian Muhammad, ran away but was caught and arrested by a trooper, Rhyne said. An 18-year-old passenger was detained. Neither Muhammad nor his passenger required medical attention.

Muhammad was taken to jail on charges of failure to stop for blue lights resulting in death and driving under suspension, Rhyne said.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash.

This story was originally published July 2, 2019 at 8:56 AM.