S.C. Police Chief among 4 Injured in Head-On Collision
Key Highlights
-
South Congaree Police Chief Steve Jonas and three others were hospitalized after a head-on collision Wednesday in Columbia, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
-
Investigators said Jonas was driving an official Dodge Charger when it crossed the centerline and struck a GMC Terrain SUV.
-
Tthe cause of the crash remains under investigation, and Jonas has been placed on administrative leave, per the department's protocol for crash investigations.
The chief of police of a Midlands law enforcement agency was among four people hospitalized following a Wednesday night crash in Richland County, South Carolina officials said.
South Congaree Police Chief Steve Jonas was involved in a two-vehicle collision, spokeswoman Ashley Hunter said in a news release.
The crash happened at about 6:15 p.m. on South Beltline Boulevard in Columbia, Capt. Sonny Collins of the South Carolina Highway Patrol said Thursday.
Jonas was driving a Dodge Charger, that was an official police vehicle, east on South Beltline Boulevard, according to Collins. The Charger crossed the centerline and collided with a GMC Terrain SUV that was driving west on the road, Collins said.
Jonas and three people in the SUV were taken to an area hospital, according to Collins. Further information on their conditions was not available.
There was no word if anyone involved in the wreck was wearing a seat belt.
Information about what caused the police car to veer into oncoming traffic was not available, but the crash continues to be investigate by the Highway Patrol.
Jonas was placed on administrative leave, which Hunter said is South Congaree’s standard protocol when a collision is investigated.
___________________
©2025 The State.
Visit thestate.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.