A Beech Island teen was clocked at 94 mph before leading a Edgefield County deputy on a deadly chase and collision Monday afternoon that killed the teen and his passenger.
Driver Joshua Brooks, 18, and Ashlee Price, 19, of Aiken, were killed around 1:30 p.m. Monday when their older-model Honda Civic collided with a log truck while fleeing a deputy, authorities said. Brooks was arrested previously for not stopping for police.
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On Monday, the deputy had clocked the teen’s vehicle at 94 mph in a 45 mph zone and tried to pull him over, Sheriff Jody Rowland said. But Brooks sped up and led a chase, where the deputy lost sight of the Honda at times because of the speed.
According to the S.C. Highway Patrol, a 2023 Western Star tractor-trailer was traveling south on Highway 25. Meanwhile, Brooks’ 2007 Honda Civic, attempting to evade law enforcement, was heading north. The Honda Civic veered off the right side of the road in an attempt to pass another vehicle before reentering the roadway and colliding head-on with the tractor-trailer.
“Not only was he literally running that fast, but coming to that intersection, he would not have been able to control the car,” Sheriff Rowland said.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was taken to a local hospital by EMS.
“We are still investigating to see what they were doing before to bring them to Edgefield County,” Sheriff Rowland said Wednesday.
Brooks was arrested twice last year in Aiken County, including once for failure to stop for a blue light and again for drug possession and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
He was remembered online by Chaurad Wilson, who said the pain he is feeling from the death is unbearable.
“My ONLY brother,” Wilson wrote. “My strength came from conversations with you. How do I keep going without you Brody. I love you so much. Help me be strong for you please. I know you would be for me.”
A balloon release for Brooks is scheduled for noon on Saturday at Generations Park in Aiken. A separate balloon release for Price is set for 7 p.m. Friday at SRP Park in North Augusta.
(Note: If you have a photo or memory of Ashlee Price to share, please text it to 803-487-3224.)
