Police investigation into Forest Acres chase shows police violations

FOREST ACRES, SC — Forest Acres police said one of their officers failed to follow proper procedure during a high-speed chase that ended with the vehicle carrying the suspect and her four children crashing.

The agency on Friday released the results of an internal investigation into the incident, which occurred on February 13, 2024.

Police said Ashley Baker, 37, was charged with shoplifting from several stores at the Trenholm Plaza mall that night. Officers said they spotted Baker’s Honda SUV in the mall parking lot and tried to stop her, but she sped off, nearly colliding with a police car.

Sergeant David Pickett began pursuing them through the mall and onto Trenholm Road. After three minutes, the patrol car and SUV collided in the 4100 block of Trenholm Road, causing Baker’s car to spin out of control. The vehicle rolled over and plunged down an embankment, eventually coming to a stop in the front yard of a home.

The suspect and her four children exited the vehicle and were taken to the hospital for treatment. Baker was charged with several felony counts, including child endangerment, enticement of minors to commit crimes, failure to obey a blue light, and shoplifting.

The day after the accident, Pickett was placed on administrative leave after Forest Acres police launched an internal investigation. The agency also asked the South Carolina Highway Patrol to investigate the cause of the accident.

Forest Acres police said a review of the incident and their policies found that parts of their pursuit policies were violated in that vicinity. Specifically, the agency said its policies do not allow pursuits for non-violent property crimes. They also said Pickett drove in front of the pursuit vehicle to slow it down, which is not allowed.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol’s investigation is ongoing. The agency said no final disciplinary action will be taken until the investigation is complete.

Pickett is on military leave and will continue to perform modified duties upon his return.

“We want the public to be assured that appropriate action will be taken once we fully understand the cause of the accident,” Forest Acres Police Chief Don Robinson said in a statement.