Motorcyclist drives into lake and vanishes while fleeing deputy, South Carolina cops say
A motorcyclist vanished after driving into a popular South Carolina lake, news outlets reported.
Officials said a deputy was pursuing the motorcycle when the rider turned toward a boat ramp on Wednesday, Aug. 17.
“After attempting to stop, the deputy observed the driver accelerate the motorcycle, driving down the boat ramp and into the water,” the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a news release. “The deputy yelled to the driver to swim back to him but the driver continued to swim away from the deputy towards the other shore.”
Crews turned to spotlights, boats and divers to try finding the missing motorcyclist in the water but were unsuccessful, officials said.
Deputies told WYFF and WSPA the events unfolded on Lake Hartwell, located along the Georgia border. The area is popular for fishing, boating and other outdoor activities.
At about 2:45 a.m., officials said someone was spotted riding a motorcycle similar to one that had been reported stolen near Timberlake One Circle in Seneca, roughly 40 miles southwest of Greenville. After the motorcyclist turned onto that same street, the deputy tried to conduct a traffic stop.
That’s when the rider drove toward the boat ramp and disappeared into the water, officials said.
“Deputies did recover a black helmet that the driver threw off as well as a black and white Air Jordan High Top shoe that was recovered on shore,” the sheriff’s office wrote.
Anyone with information is asked to call deputies at 864-638-4111 or share a Crimestoppers tip at oconeesccrimestoppers.com.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office didn’t immediately respond to McClatchy News’ requests for additional information on Aug. 18.
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