Greenville County deputy crashes into motorcyclist: What we know

Daniel J. Gross | The Greenville News

The state Highway Patrol is investigating a fiery wreck involving a Greenville County Sheriff's Office deputy and a motorcyclist Monday night.

The crash was reported around 8:05 p.m. on South Academy Street near the Trailside at Reedy Park apartment complex in the city of Greenville.

A man was riding a motorcycle south on South Academy Street when he was struck by a Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle, said Trooper Joe Hovis, a Highway Patrol spokesman.

Deputy Abigail Lothridge, of Piedmont, was driving the vehicle. She began working for the Sheriff's Office on Aug. 28, 2017, as her first job in South Carolina law enforcement, according to her employment background file obtained through the state Criminal Justice Academy.

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Her hiring paperwork states that she has had "no criminal convictions or pending charges other than minor traffic offenses."

It remains unclear where Lothridge was traveling to at the time of the crash.

"She didn't have lights and sirens on for an emergency or anything, but I'm not sure if she was responding to a call," said Sgt. Ryan Flood, a spokesman for the Sheriff's Office.

Flood said Lothridge was not injured. She is not being placed on administrative leave as a result of the crash, he said.

Flames broke out as a result of the wreck.

"Both vehicles were heavily damaged in a fire," Hovis said.

John Miles was identified as the man driving the motorcycle, Hovis said.

Andy Aun, a Columbia-based attorney, said he is a family friend of Miles and plans to represent him.

Aun said Miles was hospitalized following the crash but has since been released.

"He was severely injured. He's out of the hospital now, but is still seeking medical care," Aun said. "He is still in a lot of pain."

Aun said he plans to meet with Miles on Wednesday to determine whether to pursue legal action against the Sheriff's Office.

The Highway Patrol is still investigating what caused the wreck, Hovis said. No charges were filed as of Tuesday afternoon.