From Ashley Hunter-City of Cayce: Richland County Coroner, Nadia Rutherford, has identified William Thomas Bowie, a 44-year-old Newberry resident, as the driver that led Cayce police on a high-speed chase on Monday afternoon.

Bowie was killed on impact when he ran a red light at the intersection of Pineview Road and Shop Road and hit another vehicle. There were two vehicles involved in the crash; the other driver was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life threatening.

Bowie was wanted in the City of Cayce and in Richland County on charges of larceny, burglary, grand larceny and had other felony charges that were forthcoming prior to his death.

THE PURSUIT:

Bowie’s vehicle was spotted on the 2000 block of Charleston Highway on Monday afternoon at approximately 3:45 pm. Instead of pulling over for officers, Bowie fled in the vehicle while officers were in pursuit for 15 miles.

Bowie got on I-26 at exit 115, exited at 119, returned to the highway off exit 119, exited at I-77 West, took exit 5/Bluff Road off of 77 and made a left onto Pineview Road.

SUNDAY – Cayce, SC, 5:20 PM

Beginning at 5:20 PM on Sunday, July 10, an individual in a 2008 Infinity sedan entered Fleet Truck Repair on Charleston Highway in Cayce several times over the course of the night. The driver, identified as William Bowie, stole items from various vehicles on the business property. This is the same vehicle seen on Charleston Highway that officers attempted to stop and the vehicle involved in the deadly crash yesterday afternoon.

STATEMENT FROM CHIEF CHRIS COWAN:

“In this case, the dedicated work of our investigators and officers lead to identifying William Thomas Bowie as being responsible for multiple crimes in Cayce. He also had outstanding warrants for multiple crimes in Richland County.

It is very disturbing when suspects decide to not stop for police; especially ones who are career criminals. Bowie’s  background has varied from drugs to burglary to auto break-ins and grand larceny dating back twenty years. 

It is inexcusable for someone to disregard the law and refuse to stop for blue lights and sirens.” – Chris Cowan, Chief, Cayce Police Department