A high-speed chase that started in Georgia ended in Aiken County on Tuesday morning.
Patrick Buxton, of Grovetown, was arrested after a pursuit began in Columbia County, where he was wanted for drug charges. Buxton was taken into custody by Burnettown Police Chief David Smith off of U.S. Highway 278.
Smith said Buxton also accumulated an assault charge and traffic violations during the chase.
Smith said he was conducting a traffic stop when he saw a vehicle matching the description of a car that was involved in a chase in Columbia County. The suspect was considered armed and dangerous, and was seen throwing a gun and drugs out the window of his car during the pursuit in Georgia, Smith added.
Smith said the suspect was traveling the speed limit when he was first spotted by the Burnettown policeman but started driving erratically.
When Smith tried to stop the suspect vehicle, it accelerated, and Smith's pursuit of Buxton across Aiken County began.
Several police departments were alerted as the chase continued, including North Augusta, New Ellenton and Jackson.
Smith said that at one point the suspect stopped and put his hand out the window as if he was giving up but he wouldn't exit the car. As soon as Smith began getting out of his vehicle, the suspect sped off again.
The pursuit finally ended after a front tire on the suspect's vehicle went flat, and the driver slowed down. He attempted to strike Smith's patrol car several times despite the fact that the rim of the car was now disintegrating, Smith said.
Smith said that luckily nobody was hurt during the chase.
Amy Banton is the digital news editor.