An Aiken man struck a tree during a chase with law enforcement Wednesday morning, suffering fatal injuries, authorities said.
David L. Williams Jr., 26, died Wednesday morning at Augusta University Medical Center, where he was flown after the wreck, according to Coroner Darryl Ables.
The crash occurred about 6:40 a.m. Wednesday morning on Beaver Dam Road near Vintage Vale Road in Aiken. The suspect was traveling east on Beaver Dam Road when he lost control of the vehicle, ran off the road and struck a tree, Ables said.
Williams was not wearing a seat belt and had to be extricated from the vehicle before a helicopter took him to the hospital. He was pronounced dead at 8:27 a.m. Wednesday, the coroner said. The S.C. Highway Patrol is continuing with the investigation.
The driver has five speeding tickets in Aiken County over the last five years, many for traveling over 15 mph over the speed limit. He also was on probation for a cocaine conviction and has other previous drug and weapons charges, including a stolen pistol offense.