Aaron Joseph Lowry, Cody Isaiah Russell Obituary, Death News – A tragic crash on Interstate 85 in Greenville County, South Carolina, claimed the lives of two young men early Sunday morning. Authorities believe the vehicle involved had previously been the subject of a brief police pursuit before the crash and subsequent fire.
Police Attempted Traffic Stop Before Chase
According to the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted to pull over a Honda Accord near Anderson Road and White Horse Road around 1:45 a.m. Sunday. However, the driver did not stop, leading to a short pursuit.
Deputies later decided to cancel the chase near White Horse Road and the Interstate 85 interchange. Law enforcement policy often dictates that pursuits be called off if they pose too great a risk to public safety.
Crash and Fire on I-85
Shortly after canceling the pursuit, authorities received a report of a car crash and vehicle fire on I-85 South, near the Exit 44 ramp. Upon arriving at the scene, officials determined the crashed vehicle matched the description of the one involved in the earlier pursuit.
Investigators with the South Carolina Highway Patrol reported that the car had veered off the left side of the road while attempting to merge onto I-85 Southbound. The vehicle then collided with a concrete barrier wall, which resulted in the fiery crash.
Victims Identified
The Greenville County Coroner’s Office confirmed that two people inside the vehicle died at the scene. They were identified as 18-year-old Aaron Joseph Lowry of Anderson and 20-year-old Cody Isaiah Russell of Easley.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, including what may have caused the driver to flee from law enforcement and whether speed or other factors played a role.
This incident highlights the dangers of high-speed pursuits and the risks associated with fleeing from law enforcement. Officials urge drivers to comply with traffic stops to prevent unnecessary tragedies like this one.