News Summary

In Aiken County, a second fatality has been reported following a car crash involving a Ford Fusion and a Chevrolet Suburban. Both victims were young brothers, aged 21 and 16. The crash occurred after the Ford Fusion fled a traffic stop, running a red light before colliding with the other vehicle. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities urging witnesses to come forward to assist in understanding the circumstances leading to this tragic event.

Aiken County, S.C. – A second person has died following a fiery car crash that occurred in Aiken County on May 15. The Aiken County Coroner, Darryl Ables, has confirmed that 21-year-old Syntavion Priester was pronounced dead on Tuesday at 12:34 p.m. due to injuries sustained during the incident.

Syntavion Priester was a rear-seat passenger in a 2014 Ford Fusion, which was involved in a collision with a southbound 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The crash took place at approximately 8:40 p.m. at the intersection of Sheraton Drive and Old Jackson Highway. According to reports, the Ford Fusion had fled from a traffic stop initiated by an Aiken County Sheriff’s deputy, subsequently disregarding a traffic light before colliding with the Chevrolet Suburban.

The crash resulted in the immediate death of Priester’s younger brother, 16-year-old Jaquavis Baptiste, who was a front-seat passenger in the Ford Fusion. His death was confirmed shortly after the crash, with Baptiste being pronounced dead at a local hospital at 9:23 p.m. on the same night.

An autopsy for Priester has been scheduled for Wednesday in Newberry as authorities seek to gather more information surrounding the circumstances of the crash. In a search of the vehicle following the incident, multiple firearms were recovered, raising additional concerns regarding the events leading to the fatal collision.

The investigation into this tragic event is ongoing and is being conducted by the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Highway Patrol, and the Coroner’s Office. The details surrounding the traffic stop that led to the vehicle fleeing, as well as the presence of the firearms, remain crucial aspects of this investigation.

This incident has drawn attention to the dangers associated with high-speed chases and the serious consequences that can arise from disregarding traffic laws. The community is mourning the loss of two young lives, and the ongoing investigation is expected to provide more clarity on the events that unfolded that night.

As the investigation continues, local authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information about it to come forward. They hope to gain further insights that may help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The loss of Syntavion Priester and Jaquavis Baptiste serves as a grave reminder of the potential repercussions of reckless driving and the complexities involved in police pursuits. The families and friends of the victims are now left to navigate the consequences of this tragedy, as the community reflects on the events that led to this heart-wrenching outcome.

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Author: hereaiken