High-speed chase between SC police chief and woman left chief injured, SLED says
A Midlands police chief was injured after engaging in a high-speed chase with an armed woman, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Springfield Police Chief Elijah Fleming was injured after pursuing 37-year-old Lacey Nicole Cushman on Monday night into Tuesday morning, traversing from Orangeburg County into Barnwell County, according to a statement by SLED.
During the pursuit, Cushman shot into the vehicle occupied by Fleming, the statement said, and then evaded the chief.
The extent of Fleming’s injuries was not reported nor was the cause of the pursuit.
A South Carolina Blue Alert was issued and Cushman was taken into custody Tuesday morning in Orangeburg County, the statement said.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing by SLED, according to the statement.
On Wednesday, SLED announced that Cushman was charged with failure to stop for a blue light, attempted murder, assault & battery of a high and aggravated nature, pointing and presenting firearms at a person, possession of a firearm during commission of a violent crime and possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person convicted of certain crimes.
Cushman was booked into the Barnwell County Detention Center, and she will be prosecuted by the 2nd Circuit Solicitor’s Office, according to SLED.
This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 4:41 PM.
