St. Stephen Chief Defends Fatal Police Chase

The man who died in a St. Stephen's police chase Tuesday allegedly stole medecine from a dollar store, Chief John Waters told the Post and Courier.

Ronald Smith, 53, was pronounced dead at the scene. Smith died from head trauma, according to Berkeley County Coroner Bill Salisbury.

Waters defended the chase in an interview with the P&C's Andrew Knapp. The chief noted that Smith allegedly swearved at officers and a civillian vehicle during the getaway, necessitiating the high speed chase that would lead to Smith's death.

"People will look at this as a shoplifting case," Waters said. "But when he took it to the level of endangering lives, it’s our job to eliminate that threat."

Read more of Knapp's Post and Courier report.