A suspect dies after a police chase
Published: July 5, 2009
Updated: July 6, 2009
A Marion man is dead after a chase involving Horry County Police.
Lt. Jay Brantly, with the Horry County Police Department said at 6:15 p.m. Saturday, there was an armed robbery at a store in Little River and Steven Branham, 41 of Marion was seen fleeing.
Brantly said police pursued Branham on Highway 17, in Little River, to S.C. Highway 9 and S.C. Highway 917, outside of Loris. Brantly said while the Branham was being pursued by HCPD on 917, he ran his car into the back of an HCPD car that was not involved in the chase and Sgt. Jeff Gause was injured and flown to New Hanover Medical Center in Wilmington. Brantly said Sgt. Gause was released early Sunday morning and is at home recovering. Brantly said the Branham crashed in a cornfield on 917 after hitting Sgt. Gause’s vehicle.
Horry County Coroner Robert Edge said autopsy results revealed Branham died of a self-inflicted gun shot wound.
Brantly said the state Law Enforcement Division is investigating the incident.
Reader Reactions
First I would like to wish Sgt. Gause a speedy recovery.
Second I would like to take this time to remind you all that there is always a story within ‘the’ story. I just want you to know that Mr. Branham was more than this. He was a father, son, brother and a friend to many. There are those he’s left behind that are hurting. Many of us are left with questions that will never be answered.
You are welcome to feel and think what you will but please note that just as you and I have stumbled across this article so can my (our) son.
In spite of this action there are those who knew the loving man he once was, that caring father, the friend. I would ask that you keep in mind that there is always more than what you read or see on the news.
Thank you.
DarkKnight, your ignorance of law enforcement is obvious. First, all agencies that I know of allow a chase for armed robbery. Second, even if they have the vehicle tag, do you think later in the day he is going to admit being the driver? What if the vehicle was stolen? What if they didn’t chase him and he robbed another store, but this time killed someone. People like you would be the first to complain about the police not doing their jobs. If you don’t know what your talking about, sometimes it’s best not to say anything.
This is why many states have limitations on what crimes they are allowed to go High Speed Pursuit on, and a limit on the distance for those pursuits.
An officer was critically injuried and the suspect died.
If they had his plates (which I am sure they did well in the beginning of the chase) they could have backed off and went and grabbed him at home later in the day
Well, I suppose someone will blame the death of the suspect on the law enforcement agency. When are the criminals going to learn, they cannot get away. If you run there’s a good posability that you may get killed. When the criminal attacts a officer in the performance of his/her duty, he/she has the right to protect his/her self, within the law. Be smart, give-up, you’ll live longer. Its better to be in jail than on a cold slab in the morgue.
Thank you for the gracious support! We dont hear it enough….
Good work HCPD. This one will certainly never rob again, and we don’t have to feed and guard him any more.
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