Huger Man Sentenced After Wild Police Chase Ends in Crash
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. – In a dramatic turn of events that unfolded back in 2018, a Huger man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his reckless behavior during a police chase that saw him crash into a K9 unit. Willis Terrel Ivey, 32, faced the music in court after being found guilty of serious charges including assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and failure to stop for blue lights. The verdict came after two intense days of trial.
The Chase That Shook the City
The incident dates back to June 14, 2018, when a group of law enforcement professionals—including the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, North Charleston Police, City of Charleston Police, and Charleston County deputies—were on the lookout for Ivey due to outstanding warrants. It all started around 8 p.m. that evening, when they realized he was driving nearby.
What followed was a frantic scene as four police cars attempted to box Ivey in. But like a character straight out of an action movie, Ivey managed to slip away, leading officers on a nail-biting chase down Rivers Avenue. Buckle up for this part—he sped through oncoming traffic, cruising at blistering speeds of up to 100 mph for almost a mile!
The Crash
As Ivey made his way toward I-526, disaster struck. While attempting to race through an intersection, he crashed head-on into a North Charleston Police Department K9 Tahoe, striking the driver’s side door. To everyone’s shock, the impact sent the K9 unit flipping multiple times down the road.
Miraculously, both the driver of the K9 unit, Officer Wilson Bishop, and his loyal partner K9 Nero survived the crash. However, Ivey’s chaos didn’t end there; after his car was rendered inoperable, he took off on foot! But law enforcement was hot on his trail, and after a brief struggle, they finally apprehended him.
Justice Served
Fast forward to now, and the legal system has spoken. Managing Assistant Solicitor Daniel W. Cooper expressed relief and gratitude, stating, “We appreciate the jury’s quick verdict and the Judge’s strong sentence, as it sends a clear message: reckless and dangerous conduct like Ivey’s—where law enforcement and civilians alike were put in harm’s way—will not be tolerated.”
It’s worth noting that the chase could have led to a much graver outcome, given that Officer Bishop and K9 Nero were fortunately unharmed in the wreck. “Luckily, Trooper Bishop and K9 Nero were ultimately okay after the crash, but the end result could have been much more tragic,” Cooper remarked.
A Community’s Call for Safety
This incident highlights critical issues around reckless driving and the importance of public safety. With Ivey’s sentencing, there’s a sense of relief within the community and law enforcement that such behavior won’t go unpunished. But let’s be real: we hope this serves as a warning to anyone thinking they can outrun justice.
As Ivey starts his sentence, the Charleston community can breathe a little easier, knowing that steps are being taken to ensure the safety of everyone on the roads. Let’s all drive responsibly folks—you never know who’s watching!
