BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. – A man is facing multiple charges after Berkeley County deputies say he led law enforcement on a dangerous high-speed pursuit along Interstate 26, with a child inside the vehicle.
Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that Jamal Carl Hipp, 36, of Charleston, was arrested following the pursuit, which deputies say reached extreme speeds and endangered other motorists. The incident was recorded while deputies were filming for On Patrol: Live.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies first observed a vehicle driving recklessly on I-26 westbound near Jedburg Road on Saturday, December 13. Investigators say the vehicle was traveling more than 100 miles per hour in a 65-mile-per-hour zone.
Deputies attempted a traffic stop, but officials say the driver briefly stopped before fleeing. During the pursuit, the vehicle exceeded speeds of 130 miles per hour and weaved through traffic, creating a serious risk to other drivers.
Authorities said the driver exited I-26 onto Ridgeville Road, then re-entered the interstate heading eastbound, where the vehicle struck another car. The pursuit continued until the driver exited onto Nexton Parkway, where a flat tire forced the vehicle to stop.
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Deputies said a 4-year-old child and the child’s mother were inside the vehicle during the chase. Investigators determined the driver ignored repeated commands to stop fleeing.
Hipp was charged with failure to stop for blue lights and sirens, reckless driving, open container of beer, child endangerment and two counts of kidnapping. He remains booked at the Hill-Finklea Detention Center.
The sheriff’s office urged drivers to comply with law enforcement and warned of the serious consequences of reckless driving, particularly when children are involved.
