Holly MatkinCharleston County, SC – Charleston County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Deputy Jeremy LaDue was killed in the line of duty after another driver crashed into his patrol car on Monday morning.
The fatal collision occurred at approximately 1:40 a.m., as Deputy LaDue, 29, was out on patrol in the 2400-block of Savannah Highway, the CCSO said in a press release.
Kwamane Mitchell, 29, was driving a 2013 Hyundai Genesis when he slammed into Deputy LaDue’s 2016 Chevrolet Caprice, severely injuring them both, The Post and Courier reported.
Deputy LaDue was not wearing a seat belt, South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) Lance Corporal Tyler Tidwell told The State.
It was unknown whether or not Mitchell was wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision.
Deputy LaDue and Mitchell were rushed to Medical University of South Carolina, where they succumbed to their injuries, The State reported.
No one else was injured in the deadly crash.
The SCHP is handling the ongoing investigation into the collision, according to CCSO.
“The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office mourns the loss of Deputy LaDue,” the department said in the press release. “[His] coworkers admired him his dependability and enthusiasm. Our condolences go out to his family members and friends.”
Deputy LaDue, the son of a retired Antioch, California police officer, joined CCSO in February of 2019, according to a fundraising page established in his honor.
He leaves behind his parents and his sister.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Charleston County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jeremy LaDue, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.