By Trend News Line 2024-04-09 20:24:38.
Tragic Crash Claims Life of Pregnant Woman
In a devastating turn of events on Monday afternoon, a woman who was seven months pregnant lost her life in a tragic crash involving a Columbia police officer. The victim, identified as Ashley Brown, 34, was fatally injured in a collision with the police cruiser on North Main Street. Sadly, Brown’s unborn fetus also perished as a result of the crash.
Details of the Fatal Chain of Events
The series of unfortunate events began with a shooting at a Columbia car dealership that resulted in the death of 39-year-old Graham Pope. The shooting took place at JT’s Kia on Greystone Boulevard, where Pope was found shot multiple times inside a car. Despite being rushed to a hospital, Pope succumbed to his injuries.
Police Pursuit and Tragic Collision
Following the shooting, a Columbia police officer spotted the suspect’s vehicle, a gray Ford Mustang, on River Drive. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspect refused to comply and fled towards North Main Street. As the officer initiated a pursuit, tragedy struck less than a minute later when Officer Darian Davis collided with Ashley Brown’s Toyota sedan.
The impact of the crash not only claimed Brown’s life but also left Officer Davis and another driver injured. Davis underwent surgery and remained hospitalized, while the third driver was treated and released the same day. Meanwhile, the suspect in the shooting incident managed to evade the police for a brief period.
Arrest of the Suspect
The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Westley Gross, led police on a chase before eventually abandoning his vehicle and attempting to flee on foot. After a brief pursuit, law enforcement officers apprehended Gross and discovered two guns and ammunition in his possession. Gross, who was out on bond for other charges at the time, now faces charges of murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and failure to stop for police.
Ongoing Investigations
In the aftermath of the tragic incident, the South Carolina Highway Patrol is conducting an investigation into the officer-involved collision. Additionally, the Columbia Police Department will be conducting an internal review to determine if proper protocols were followed during the pursuit.
Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook expressed his condolences to the family of Ashley Brown, acknowledging the immense pain they must be experiencing. He emphasized that the officers involved strive for perfection in their service to the community and uphold the sanctity of life. Holbrook reiterated that the incident was a truly tragic situation that has deeply impacted all those involved.
As this breaking news story continues to unfold, further details will be provided to shed light on the sequence of events that led to this heartbreaking loss of life..
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