Authorities said that a driver may have intentionally struck two children and an adult outside of a preschool at a South Carolina Church.
Police said that after an hour-long manhunt, a suspect was arrested without incident in connection with the hit-and-run incident.
Police said the crash happened shortly before 1 p.m. on Thursday at Sunrise Presbyterian Church in Sullivan’s Island. Sullivan’s Island is a beach resort town located just outside Charleston.
According to Sgt. Matt Storen, Isle of Palms Police, there was no altercation prior to the incident. Matt Storen said that the crash is being investigated to determine if it was intentional.
The police identified the suspect as Justin Collin Adams. He was arrested about five hours following the accident.
Chief Glenn Meadows of Sullivan’s Island said that he was found in a small boat behind a home located directly across from the church.
Meadows, at a press conference on Thursday night, said that a sergeant in the Charleston County Aviation Unit helicopter had spotted the suspect. “That proved to a be a valuable asset,” Meadows added.
Storen reported that the suspect abandoned his sedan and fled on foot armed with an axe after the accident.
Police said that the manhunt involved grid searches in houses, drones scanning the skies, and checkpoints near the entrance to Sullivan’s Island. The FBI and U.S. Police said that Marshals were involved.
Police said that following the accident, a child and an adult were transported to hospitals, and the third victim received treatment at the scene before being released. According to a spokesperson from the Medical University of South Carolina, the child that was taken to hospital has been discharged.
Meadows stated that he believes the other victim is due to be released.
He said, “We are thankful that these injuries were not as severe as we had anticipated.”
The authorities did not know of any updates on the charges that may be filed against Adams. Now, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office leads the investigation.
Meadows responded, “That is part of the investigation.” Meadows was asked about the circumstances surrounding the accident and if the crash had been intentional. “I’m certain those facts will be revealed at some point.”
Investigators were questioning Adams at the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. Police said that he will be taken to the Al Cannon Detention Center, and if he is lodged there Thursday night, an adjudicator will meet him on Friday morning.
Sullivan’s Island mayor Patrick O’Neil praised law enforcement efforts.
He said, “This was great teamwork,” at the briefing. “We are all grateful to our partners at the state, county, national, and federal levels.”
South Carolina Attorney-General Alan Wilson said that he is “grateful” for the quick response of law enforcement in apprehending this suspect.
In a social media post, he wrote: “Continued Prayers for the Victims and All Affected.”
