Occupants in Vehicle Fleeing Checkpoint Killed in Wreck

Two men died in a wreck Wednesday after allegedly fleeing a traffic checkpoint on College Park Road, according to Charleston County Sheriff's Office.

The Post and Courier reported the names of the men killed as Summerville residents Gerald Washington, 52, and Dwayne Pierce, 50. Washington was identified as the driver. The publication also reported that had two warrants out for arrest by Summerville Police Department.

According to deputies, the wreck occurred at Ridge Church Road and Highway 17-A in the Sangaree area between Summerville and Goose Creek. 

At 11:57 p.m. Wednesday, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Deputies, assisted by members of the S.C. Highway Patrol, were manning a driver’s safety checkpoint on College Park Road when a vehicle allegedly fled through the checkpoint. A release by the Sheriff's Office said the act placed the deputies and troopers on scene in danger. 

A Berkeley County deputy and a Highway Patrol trooper left the checkpoint to attempt to catch up to the vehicle and initiate a traffic stop.  

As the vehicle approached Ridge Church Road and began to turn, deputies reported that the vehicle was traveling too fast to negotiate a slight curve in the road left the roadway and struck a tree. 

The driver of the vehicle was transported from the scene and succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The passenger sustained fatal injuries on scene.

Deputies continue to investigate the accident and are working with the Berkeley County Coroner’s Office and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office during the investigation.