Barnwell Co. teen killed in crash after driver flees traffic stop

AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. (WJBF) – On May 15th shortly after 8:30 pm, a deputy with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle on Sheraton Drive near Atomic Road for speeding.

The deputy approached the vehicle and requested the necessary information from the driver, who then took off.

The deputy attempted to catch up with the suspect vehicle but lost sight of it, and ended the chase.

As the deputy approached the intersection of Sheraton Drive and Old Jackson Highway near the entrance to Kimberly Clark, he saw the vehicle run the light and crash into a Chevrolet Suburban that was traveling south on Old Jackson Highway and catch fire.

EMS and Fire units were notified and responded. Deputies on scene pulled occupants from the car and began life saving measures.

One death was reported. The victim has been identified as 16-year-old Jaquavis Baptiste of Elko, S.C., the front seat passenger.

Several of the the occupants in the vehicle were injured and taken to the hospital.

Authorities say multiple firearms were found int he car as well.

This incident is currently under investigation by the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Highway Patrol, and the Aiken County Coroner’s Office.