Man with deadly hit-and-run conviction leads SC cops on new high-speed chase, sheriff says
A man was recently arrested for leading deputies on a high-speed chase in Columbia that ended in a crash, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. It turns out that driver — 30-year-old Jacobi Green — was previously convicted for felony traffic crimes that involved a death, the sheriff’s department said Monday in a news release.
On April 3, Green was charged with reckless driving, failure to stop for blue lights and siren, driving under suspension and simple possession of marijuana, according to the release.
The arrest came after a chase that began when a deputy tried to pull over a vehicle on South Highland Forest Drive, the sheriff’s department said. That’s in Columbia, in the area near U.S. 21/Wilson Boulevard and U.S. 321.
The driver, later identified as Green, ignored the attempted traffic stop and the vehicle drove off at a high rate of speed, according to the release. Green nearly struck another vehicle on nearby Wilmette Road before losing control of the vehicle, because of the speed, and crashed into a utility pole, the sheriff’s department said.
Green ran from the wreck but was taken into custody by deputies, according to the release.
This chase happened nearly 4 years after Green was involved in a deadly crash, the sheriff’s department said.
On May 7, 2021, the sheriff’s department charged Green with possession with intent to distribute marijuana as well as failure to stop for blue lights and siren, while the South Carolina Highway Patrol charged him with felony DUI (resulting in death), hit-and-run (resulting in death) and resisting arrest, according to the release.
In that incident, a deputy tried to catch up to a vehicle driving recklessly at a high rate of speed while on Fairfield Road, the sheriff’s department said. While the deputy was in pursuit, the vehicle leading the chase hit a victim on a dirt bike and kept traveling, according to the release.
Green eventually lost control of that vehicle and crashed into a ditch, according to the release.
The sheriff’s department said the victim, later identified by the Richland County Coroner’s Office as Michael Thomas, died at the scene. Just days before the deadly collision Thomas celebrated his 16th birthday on May 3, according to the Bostick Tompkins Funeral Home.
The Highway Patrol investigated the collision, and on Sept. 26, 2022, Green pleaded guilty to hit-and-run (resulting in death) and was sentenced to 5 years suspended to time served (507 days) and 2 years of probation, the sheriff’s department said.
About 10 hours after his most recent arrest, from the April 2025 chase, Green was released on a $2500 surety bond, according to the release.
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This story was originally published April 7, 2025 at 1:56 PM.
