A Midlands man wanted on violent crime warrants was arrested Friday after leading deputies on a multi-county chase that ended with him crashing on Interstate 95 and jumping from a bridge into Lake Marion, authorities said.
The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office said the pursuit began around 10 a.m. when deputies attempted to stop 43-year-old Christopher James Lynch, who was wanted on active violent warrants. Lynch fled the traffic stop, sparking a chase that moved through Dorchester, Orangeburg and Clarendon counties, according to sheriff’s officials.
Deputies said the pursuit came to a halt near mile marker 104 on I-95 when Lynch’s vehicle collided with an 18-wheeler attempting to move out of the way. Moments after the crash, Lynch got out of the vehicle and leapt from the interstate bridge into Lake Marion in an attempt to evade law enforcement.
He was taken into custody without further incident. No bystanders were injured, according to Dorchester County officials.
Lynch faces multiple charges, including failure to stop for blue lights, in addition to the outstanding violent crime warrants, deputies said.
Numerous agencies assisted in the pursuit and arrest, including the Holly Hill Police Department, Santee Police Department, Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Highway Patrol, South Carolina State Transport Police, and Clarendon County Fire Rescue.
