A man Cayce Police say fled a traffic stop and led them on a 15-mile, high-speed chase died after an ensuing collision.

“Richland County Coroner, Nadia Rutherford, has identified William Thomas Bowie, a 44-year-old Newberry resident, as the driver that led Cayce police on a high-speed chase on [the afternoon of July 11],” states a release from the Cayce Police Department.

“Bowie was killed on impact when he ran a red light at the intersection of Pineview Road and Shop Road and hit another vehicle. There were two vehicles involved in the crash; the other driver was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life threatening.”

The release states that Bowie was wanted in Cayce and in Richland County on larceny, burglary, grand larceny and had other forthcoming felony charges.

According to incident reports provided by Cayce Police, Bowie was accused of stealing a TV and a refrigerator during a stay at the Masters Inn on Commerce Drive in June.

A little after 3:30 p.m. July 11, a 2008 Infiniti G35, confirmed by the owner to be driven by Bowie, was spotted on Knox Abbott Drive. 

The reports state that Bowie was spotted on security footage several times the night before going onto the property of Fleet Truck Repair on Charleston Highway and removing several tools from vehicles, with an estimated total value between $2,000 and $10,000.

Two patrol vehicles attempted to stop Bowie near the intersection of Charleston Highway and Airport Boulevard in West Columbia. According to the reports, Bowie fled after one vehicle turned on its lights and sirens and attempted to pull him over.

“Bowie fled in the vehicle while officers were in pursuit for 15 miles,” the release states. “Bowie got on I-26 at exit 115, exited at 119, returned to the highway off exit 119, exited at I-77 West, took exit 5/Bluff Road off of 77 and made a left onto Pineview Road.”

The reports state that Bowie appeared to make an error in either overcorrecting or missing a turn before accelerating to speeds between 90 and 100 mph. 

According to the reports, he ran a red light at the intersection of Pineview Road and Shop Road, striking a sedan in the middle of the intersection, spinning around and coming to a stop at the guard rail. The other driver was able to walk away from the vehicle before being transported to the hospital.

“In this case, the dedicated work of our investigators and officers lead [sic] to identifying William Thomas Bowie as being responsible for multiple crimes in Cayce. He also had outstanding warrants for multiple crimes in Richland County,” Cayce Police Chief Chris Cowan is quoted. “It is very disturbing when suspects decide to not stop for police; especially ones who are career criminals. Bowie’s background has varied from drugs to burglary to auto break-ins and grand larceny dating back twenty years. 

“It is inexcusable for someone to disregard the law and refuse to stop for blue lights and sirens.”

This is a developing story and will continue to be updated.