A chase involving a stolen car ended in a massive crash on Sunset Boulevard in West Columbia, Thursday afternoon.

The pursuit began at approximately 3:20 p.m. in the Broad River Road and Bush River Road area, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies tried to pull over the car believed to be stolen. The driver fled and the chase began.

The pursuit went from Richland County to Lexington and several cars were hit, according to the RCSD report.

The driver of the alleged stolen car crashed around 3:50 p.m. at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Cougar Drive, in front of the Good Will store, at the entrance to Northside Middle School and Riverbank Elementary, in West Columbia.

Northside Middle School was put on lockdown until the scene was gotten under control by the West Columbia Police Department and other law enforcement personnel.

Parents picking up students were stuck at the school for a while due to all the emergency personnel and the blockage caused by the wrecked cars.

At the crash site, two people got out of the car and ran from police on foot, RCSD said. Both people were taken into custody and face multiple charges.

Sean Riley, 23, was driving the car, said RCSD. He is being charged with of possession of a stolen vehicle, failure to stop, felony in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, and unlawful carry and assault.

Albert Brisbon, 30, was also arrested and charged with open container and possession of a controlled substance. Both taken to the hospital to be checked out before jail, deputies said. Others were also taken to the hospital.

The eastbound lanes of Sunset Boulevard were closed for a while . By 6 p.m., traffic was back to normal.