Police chase out of Charlotte ends in serious crash in Fort Mill, deputies say

FORT MILL, S.C. — A police chase that started early Wednesday morning near uptown Charlotte ended in a crash at a busy intersection in Fort Mill.

According to the Fort Mill Police Department, the wreck happened at the intersection of Highway 160 and Highway 21 bypass in front of The Peach Stand.

The York County Sheriff’s office told Channel 9 that officers with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department were chasing robbery suspects in Charlotte.

Officials in South Carolina said the robbery suspects were in a black GMC Terrain SUV and that the three men inside were taken to the hospital, with at least one seriously injured.

CMPD officers’ license plate reader spotted the SUV wanted in a crime shortly before 4 a.m. and tried to pull it over on Interstate 277 near the exit for Third and Fourth streets.

The SUV, driven by Patrick McManus, 28, didn’t stop and a pursuit began, CMPD said.

McManus’ GMC drove into Fort Mill and sped through a red light at somewhere between 70 mph and 90 mph when he struck a Honda CR-V that had a green light, according to the preliminary investigation by CMPD.

The Honda rolled side-over-side several times, authorities said. The CR-V came to a rest on its passenger side against a traffic light control box at the intersection.

McManus’ GMC spun out of control before coming to a rest south of the intersection, police said.

Both drivers were taken to Piedmont Medical with serious injuries, and McManus was airlifted from Piedmont Medical to Atrium Health Main.

McManus will be charged with felony flee to elude and firearm by felon after he gets out of the hospital, CMPD said.

Officers blocked the intersection, and drivers were urged to avoid the area.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.

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