UPDATED: Williston SC Police Chief Hit Working Check Point, Suspect Now In Custody

1:00 p.m. UPDATE, on June 29th: An Augusta man is in jail after North Augusta investigators say he hit an officer with his SUV. Authorities say 21-year-old Demarius Smith hit Williston Police Chief Roger Kaney with his SUV. Police say smith made a u-turn and drove directly at the officers. Smith was arrested and charged with two counts of assault and battery with the intent to kill.

North Augusta, SC—Investigators are still looking for the suspect who ran down a local police chief early this morning. Williston South Carolina Police Chief, Roger Kaney, assisting a sobriety check with the law enforcement network on Old Plantation Road in North Augusta.  Investigators say it all happened so fast, and how it happened still has some in shock.

Lt. Robert Bell, North Augusta Public Safety:  “A vehicle drove through the checkpoint, made a u-turn and drove towards a police officer from public safety. A couple of officers fired at the vehicle and the vehicle struck the Police Chief of Williston South Carolina and then fled into the state of Georgia.“

The chief’s was alert and talking when paramedics took him to the hospital. SLED will be heading up the investigation. No information has been released on the suspect but we’re told the Ford Explorer has been recovered in Augusta.