DUI suspect flees Aiken County deputy, then dies in crash

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - It’s been a deadly past few days on CSRA roadways on both sides of the Savannah River, with the latest fatal crash happening early Monday in Aiken.

At least two of the crashes will involve criminal investigation – the pursuit in Aiken and a hit-and-run crash in Augusta that killed a pedestrian.

Here’s what happened:

MONDAY

Aiken County: Driver was evading deputies, troopers say

Michael Bailey, 39, of Norfolk, Va., was killed in a crash that was reported about 12:40 a.m. on Laurens Street Northwest near Hampton Avenue in Aiken.
A 2017 Kia sport utility vehicle was trying to evade the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office when it went off the roadway to the left, overturned and hit a tree.
A deputy conducted a traffic stop for suspicion of driving under the influence, according to authorities. When the deputy made with the driver after pulling over, the diver drove away, resulting in the pursuit, according to deputies.
Bailey was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:20 a.m., according to Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables, who said an autopsy is scheduled.
A enger was taken to Wellstar MCG hospital in Augusta to be treated for injuries, according to troopers.

SUNDAY

Washington County: Deadly accident happens outside Sandersville

A man died after a traffic accident outside Sandersville, although a medical condition may be to blame.
The Washington County Coroner’s Office identified him as Bobby Dalton, 55, of Sandersville.
On Sunday at 8:52 a.m. the Washington County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media that deputies were on the scene of a fatal traffic accident on West Church Street outside of Sandersville.
The Georgia State Patrol said the two-vehicle crash happened near Woodbine Drive.
The investigation revealed a Honda Accord was ing a Toyota Tacoma in a no-ing zone while the Tacoma was turning left, troopers said. The two vehicles collided.
Both drivers were taken to Washington County Regional Medical Center, and Dalton, the driver of the Tacoma, died.
Coroner E.K. May said he suspects a medical issue, rather than the accident, may have actually caused Dalton’s death. He said an autopsy by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will help determine the answer to that.
The Georgia State Patrol’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team responded to assist in the investigation.

FRIDAY

Richmond County: Pedestrian killed in hit-and-run

A homeless man died after being hit by a vehicle in a hit-and-run crash on Friday.
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as 61-year-old, Vincent Depirro.
The coroner’s office responded to Wellstar MCG emergency room in reference to a pedestrian fatality.
The coroner’s office says Depirro was struck by a vehicle at 10th and Greene streets.
Depirro was taken to Wellstar MCG hospital, where he was later pronounced dead at 8:57 p.m., according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.

Saluda County: Driver dies 3 days after accident

Three days after a car crash in Saluda County, a driver died Friday, according to Coroner Keith Turner.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol says the two-vehicle crash occurred on Tuesday around 5:45 a.m. at the intersection of U.S. 178 and Duncan Road, six miles south of Saluda.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol says a 2005 Chevrolet pickup was traveling north on Dunkin Road while a 2010 Jeep was traveling east on U.S. 178.
Troopers say the Jeep and pickup collided, sending both vehicles off the left side of the road. The pickup truck went into a ditch, while the Jeep overturned.
Both drivers were taken to hospitals with injuries, and the pickup driver died Friday.
The coroner identified the driver as Joseph T. Ray, 35, of Saluda.