The Rincon Police Department and Effingham County sheriff’s deputies arrested Benjamin Overton Jr. on Monday night after he crashed his vehicle following a high speed pursuit.

It all began when the Sheriff’s department was notified of shots fired, and they began a search for a vehicle believed to be connected with the shooting. Going on a description of the vehicle, Rincon officers spotted it just minutes after the report and attempted an investigative stop at the Gate gas station. Another police car arrived in response to a call for backup, and the two officers attempted to block the suspect car in.
However, according to reports, Overton accelerated and left the station, narrowly missing hitting one of the officers.

The officers pursued the vehicle, which went up Fort Howard Road and turned into the Texaco station, nearly hitting a vehicle, before heading back up Fort Howard Road again and driving head-on toward the police vehicles.

Overton then turned left onto Highway 21 where officers said Overton drove at speeds in excess of 100 mph.

The suspect then turned into the Westwood Heights subdivision, where the Rincon Police vehicles backed off, turning the chase over to the ECSO.

Overton wound up crashing his car on McCall Road, just past Blandford Elementary School, where he had to be cut out of his vehicle with the jaws of life.

Officers had him taken to a hospital where he was treated for back injuries. A loaded shotgun was found in the vehicle and Overton has been charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, felony fleeing in an attempt to elude, and possession of marijuana.

Other charges are pending.