Victim was hit by car during domestic violence attack, Richland County sheriff says
A South Carolina man is going to prison following a domestic violence attack where a victim was hit by a car and kidnapped, according to Richland County officials.
On Tuesday, Christopher Miller pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree domestic violence (of a high and aggravated nature) and kidnapping, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday in a news release. The 33-year-old Columbia resident was sentenced to concurrent 10 year terms in a South Carolina Department of Corrections prison for each charge, Richland County court records show.
On June 21, 2024, just before 2 a.m., deputies responded to a call to meet in the 4800 block of Two Notch Road, the sheriff’s department said in the release. That’s in Columbia, not far from Forest Acres, in the area between S.C. 277 and Interstate 77.
The deputies met with a victim and learned that the original incident had taken place about 4 miles away in the 8200 block of Two Notch Road, according to the release. During an investigation, deputies learned that Miller intentionally struck the victim with his car, then forced the victim into the car against the victim’s will, the sheriff’s department said.
Miller continued the assault until arriving in the 4800 block of Two Notch Road, where the victim was able to call for help, according to the release. Miller drove away before the deputies’ arrival, the sheriff’s department said.
Miller wasn’t arrested until July 17, 2024, court records show. He was booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, according to jail records.
No bond was set and he was credited for serving 244 days in jail before his conviction on the charges, court records show.
Information about the victim’s condition was not available.
“This case demonstrates what the justice system is capable of when everyone works together,” Sheriff Leon Lott said in the release. “Coming forward as a victim of domestic violence is not easy. The victim in this case showed immense bravery and I’m thankful that we were able to provide some form of justice.”
The sheriff’s department said if you, or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available by calling 803-576-3000 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. In the case of an emergency, always call 911.
“We want to get you the resources you need,” the sheriff’s department said.
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