News Headlines

WRDW I 12 On Your Cell >> News Headlines

Only on 12: Dash-cam video of chase shows Langley man swerve at deputy

Posted: 1:55 PM Mar 14, 2013
Reporter: Chad Mills

News 12 First at Five / Friday, March 15, 2013

AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. (WRDW) -- A 25-year-old man is in custody after leading the Aiken County Sheriff's Officers on a car chase Thursday afternoon.

Joshua Barbee of Langley is facing attempted murder charges, along with failure to stop for blue lights and possession of methamphetamine, after allegedly swerving at an officer who was setting up a roadblock to stop him. The officer had to jump out of the way to avoid getting hit.

A dash-cam video obtained from the Aiken County Sheriff's Office seemingly shows this. As the deputy throws out stop sticks, in an attempt to pop the suspect's tires, the driver swerves toward the deputy. The front of the car seems to be only about 2 feet away from the deputy.

The incident began when officers began tracking a vehicle that was reported stolen from Sara Cenicola of North Augusta at Kent's Korner on Trolley Line Road in Aiken. Witnesses say Barbee and Christopher Blitchington were able to get into a Dodge Neon before Barbee allegedly got in and drove away.

Officers found Barbee, and the chase started. At first, the deputy pursued him down Robert M. Bell Parkway, through the intersection at Jefferson Davis Highway and onto Augusta Road (SC-421). Barbee swerved at the deputy near the intersection of School Road and Augusta Road.

Eventually, Barbee turns onto Atomic Road, then onto Jefferson Davis, and finally, after one of his tires was successfully popped, he crashed into a median in front of Mae Video in North Augusta, just south of the I-520 overpass.

The dash-cam video shows Barbee fleeing from the vehicle into nearby woods. Deputies follow with guns drawn.

Capt. Troy Elwell says Barbee pulled a knife during this foot chase, but he was ultimately arrested without injuring the deputies. However, one deputy did sustain pulled muscles during the foot chase.

A search on the Aiken County Detention Center website shows Barbee has been booked into the jail eight times prior to this arrest.

The owner of the stolen Dodge Neon can also press additional charges if she chooses.