YORK COUNTY, SC – A person has been arrested after leading Deputies on a 15-mile chase, and shooting at officers. Samuel DeCarlos Watson, 45, has been charged with reckless driving, failure to stop for blue lights, driving under suspension, and use of license plates on other than the vehicle issued.
At 11:30 p.m., February 22, 2023, on Memorial Dr. in Clover, deputies attempted to stop the Silver Hummer Watson was driving for having a license plate that belonged to a Chevrolet Malibu. Watson then led deputies on a pursuit from Clover, through the outskirts of York to Rock Hill. Deputies used Stop Sticks to flatten the tires of the Hummer on Hwy. 55. After hitting the stop sticks it is believed Deputies heard the sound of gunfire of Watson possibly shooting a firearm out the window of the Hummer.
Watson continued to evade deputies down Daimler Blvd. to Hands Mill Hwy. into oncoming traffic towards Rock Hill. Watson then turned into a field off Mt. Gallant Rd. where Deputies ordered Watson to get out of his car, but he continued to drive his disabled vehicle. At that point one deputy struck the Hummer to prevent Watson from escaping. Watson then crashed the Hummer into a tree.
Watson jumped and ran from his car. Watson was located 30-minutes later on the front porch of a home near the 1400 block of Allison Circle where he was taken in to custody without further incident.
“We are fortunate no Deputies or citizens were seriously hurt or even killed due to this person’s reckless behavior,” said Sheriff Kevin Tolson. “The outstanding team work and restraint by our Deputies should be commended to take this dangerous person into custody before this incident escalated further.”
Watson was arrested and transported to York County Detention Center. Further charges for Watson may be pending.