A woman crashed into a tree off Lebby Street Monday afternoon after she failed to stop for police. She was stopped for speeding, more than twice the speed limit, on Lebby Street. The officer took her information and was sitting in his car when she sped away. She went through several streets behind the Pelzer post office, drove through yards, and struck a carport at one point. She finally struck the tree disabling her vehicle. She faces multiple charges. (Photo by David Rogers)
Driver facing multiple charges after chase in Pelzer
West Pelzer Police were involved in a traffic stop in which a speeding driver was stopped and then drove off resulting in a chase through Pelzer. West Pelzer Police Chief Scott Stoller said the driver of a 2014 Kia Soul SU was traveling 53 mph in a 25 mph zone and was stopped at the Pelzer Post Office. The female driver appeared to be driving under the influence and had no ID, expired registration and no insurance.
Chief Stoller said he took the keys to the vehicle as he was completing paperwork in his vehicle, however the driver had a spare set of keys and drove off. A chase went to Burts St. behind Pelzer Town Hall and eventually ended when the vehicle hit a tree near the Mexican restaurant. A carport was damaged when it was stuck by the fleeing vehicle during the chase. According to Stoller, the driver lied about her identification, stating she was her sister, who owned the vehicle.
The driver, Samantha Gray Weaver, 31, of Inman, is facing seven charges including uninsured vehicle, open container of beer or wine in a motor vehicle, striking fixtures on or adjacent to highway – failure to report, giving false information to law enforcement, driving under suspension, transport of alcohol in a motor vehicle with seal broken, driving under the influence 2nd offense, and failure to stop for a blue light.
