One person was killed in Columbia police car wreck after a shooting. Here’s what we know
A crash between a Columbia police car and a Toyota sedan in north Columbia killed a motorist. Here’s what we know about the crash.
The driver of the Toyota was killed and has not been publicly identified by the Richland County Coroner’s Office.
The police officer involved in that crash suffered an injured leg and was being treated at a local hospital. The officer has not been identified. The seriousness of his leg injury is not known.
The fatal crash took place shortly after 3 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. 21/North Main Street and Prescott Road, police said.
Details of the crash — such as how it happened and the speed of each vehicle — are not known. The S.C. Highway Patrol is investigating.
Columbia police and the Richland County Coroner’s Office are expected to hold a news conference late Tuesday afternoon to release more information.
The officer whose car struck the Toyota was responding to a fatal shooting at JT’s Kia dealership at 180 Gregstone Blvd. Officials have identified the victim as Graham Pope, 39. No motive has been given for the shooting.
Other Columbia police officers chased the alleged shooter, whose car crashed into a backyard of a home in the 2200 block of Shady Lane, according to police. That’s about nine miles from the car dealership.. The suspect was identified as Westley Gross, 28. His address was not given. He is expected to face numerous charges.
