Wick

Incident

K9 Wick was struck and killed by a vehicle while pursuing the suspect of a stolen vehicle around 1:00 a.m.

Richland County deputies attempted to pull over a van that had been reported stolen the day prior. When the subject did not stop, a vehicle pursuit ensued. After using stop sticks on Interstate 77, the suspect stopped at mile marker two and fled on foot. K9 Wick was deployed to track the suspect. During the pursuit, the leash broke, and K9 Wick continued running into the northbound lanes of I-77, where he was struck by oncoming traffic. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The driver stopped and is cooperating with authorities.

The suspect in the stolen vehicle was able to get away but was later apprehended.

K9 Wick had served with the Richland County Sheriff's Department for 1 1/2 years.