A Lake City, SC, police officer died after a pursuit Friday. The officer was identified as Lt. John Stewart, a 20-year veteran of law enforcement.
Stewart’s vehicle crashed during the pursuit but the cause of death has not been determined. An autopsy has been performed.
Major Mike Nunn of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office told WBTW, there were two law enforcement pursuits Friday in the Lake City area. Major Nunn said late Friday that investigators are working to determine if the two events are related.
Nunn said the sheriff’s office began investigating an apparent carjacking in Lake City shortly after the pursuit involving Stewart. A suspect, identified Saturday morning as Jermaine Ryan M. Roberson, of Olanta, South Carolina, allegedly carjacked a vehicle.
Later, a sheriff’s deputy spotted a vehicle matching the description of the stolen vehicle. After a pursuit, a PIT maneuver was performed. This caused Roberson’s vehicle to hit a ditch, deputies said.
The deputy in this incident was injured while taking Roberson into custody and was taken to an area hospital for medical treatment. The deputy is expected to recover from injuries.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating both incidents.