High-speed chase attorney in Newberry, SC

A domestic violence incident escalated into an armed standoff with law enforcement officers at a Midlands home where a South Carolina man was holding his daughter and girlfriend hostage, according to the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office.

At about 2 a.m. Tuesday, a woman from another state made a call to Newberry County 911 saying that her friend was being assaulted by the friend’s father, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. The assault was happening at a home on St. Phillip’s Church Road, according to the release.

The father, later identified as 50-year-old Prosperity resident Kenneth Coffey, also held his girlfriend against her will inside the residence, the sheriff’s office said. Coffey was armed with multiple weapons, according to the release.

Deputies responded to the home and established a perimeter outside, the sheriff’s office said. Through continued communication with the 911 caller, deputies relayed instructions to the daughter, who was able to climb out of a window and safely escape, according to the release.

Coffey and his girlfriend remained inside the home, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies learned that Coffey had placed a weapon to the head of both victims, and he also placed the gun to his head, according to the release.

In addition to deputies, members of the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office Critical Incident Response Team and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s K-9 unit were called to the standoff, and they made contact with Coffey, the sheriff’s office said.

Coffey briefly came to the door before retreating back into the home to get a long firearm, according to the release.

At about 4 a.m., Coffey was taken into custody by SLED K-9 and Critical Incident Response Team members, the sheriff’s office said. Information about how Coffey was taken into custody, and if any law enforcement officers entered the home or if any other measures were used, was not available.

Coffey was taken by EMS to an area trauma center for treatment, according to the release. Both victims were also treated for injuries they suffered during the assault, the sheriff’s office said.

Further information on their conditions was not available, but Coffey has since been taken to the Newberry County Detention Center, according to the release.

Coffey was charged with domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, kidnapping and possession of a weapon by a person prohibited, the sheriff’s office said.

Despite the arrest, the incident continues to be investigated.

Sheriff Lee Foster commended the Newberry County 911 telecommunicators for keeping the caller on the line and getting critical information that assisted in rescuing one of the victims and keeping deputy at the scene safe.

Foster also praised the responding deputies and SLED agents for their work while the early morning temperatures were in the teens.

NEWBERRY, S.C. (WIS) - The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) responded to an early-morning standoff Tuesday.

Authorities identified the suspect as Kenneth Coffey, 50, of Prosperity, South Carolina. He is charged with domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, kidnapping and possession of a weapon by a person prohibited. He is currently being held at the Newberry County Detention Center.

NCSO said it received a 911 call about 2 a.m. Tuesday, from a woman outside the state, reporting that her friend was being assaulted by the suspect and that he was holding a woman against her will inside a house with a gun.

Deputies responded to the scene and established positions around the house. Through continued communications with the caller, deputies helped the initial victim climb out of a window and escape the house.

Authorities say the suspect and a second victim remained in the house. The suspect was armed with multiple guns and threatened the victim and himself. The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) was activated, along with assistance from a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) K-9 unit.

Contact was reportedly established with the suspect, who came to the door before going back inside the house to get a long gun. At about 4 a.m., SLED K-9 and CIRT members took the suspect into custody.

Newberry County EMS transported the suspect to an area trauma center for treatment. Both victims were treated for injuries from the incident.

Sheriff Lee Foster commended Newberry County 911 telecommunicators for keeping the caller on the line and extracting critical information that helped rescue the victim and ensure deputy safety. He also praised the responding deputies and SLED agents for their professionalism and dedication while operating in temperatures in the teens.

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First responders say the biggest concern is that drivers may not realize how hazardous roads are until they suddenly lose traction.

NEWBERRY, S.C. — Winter weather conditions continued to worsen across Newberry County Sunday afternoon as sleet moved in, creating a dangerous mix of slush and black ice on roads throughout the area.

What began as icing early Sunday shifted to steadier sleet by the afternoon, making driving conditions increasingly unpredictable. First responders say the biggest concern is that drivers may not realize how hazardous roads are until they suddenly lose traction.

Master Trooper Brandon Bolt with the South Carolina Highway Patrol said crews have been monitoring major roadways and interstates, where worsening conditions can be difficult to spot.

“You can see where DOT is doing an excellent job maintaining these roads, getting that off of the roads and putting out the sand and brine,” Bolt said. “But black ice is still the issue right now. It looks just like the pavement. You can’t really tell what it is until you hit it.”

Newberry Fire Chief Gene Shealy echoed that warning, saying even roads that appear clear can still be slick, especially as temperatures remain below freezing.

“Just because it looks like it’s not ice on the road, that black ice is still out there,” Shealy said. “As these temperatures stay below freezing, there’s a potential that you could slide and get into an accident.”

According to Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster, deputies have already responded to multiple crashes across the county. He said officials are particularly concerned about conditions deteriorating again overnight as temperatures drop.

“We’ve asked people to stay home, and there’s not a lot of traffic out,” Foster said. “We continue to ask you to do that."

Officials warned that the buildup of ice and sleet on the roads could make travel even more dangerous into Monday morning. Drivers are urged to stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary and to use extreme caution if they must head out.

NEWBERRY, S.C. (WIS) - A winter storm watch has Newberry County leaders warning residents to prepare for power outages and dangerous roads this weekend as officials say the ice storm could hit harder than Hurricane Helene in 2024.

Sheriff Lee Foster said ice storms present unique challenges compared to hurricanes because they can affect entire power line systems rather than just scattered downed trees.

“In talking with the utilities, ice storms are probably the worst that you can have,” Foster said. “With ice storms, it puts weight on the entire power line and the poles. So you could have just a whole section that you have to replace.”

Travel conditions are another significant worry for officials. Thursday’s rain could create hazardous conditions if puddles turn to ice during overnight hours this weekend.

Foster shared a photo from a storm more than a decade ago showing a thick layer of ice covering the Newberry High School football field. He said if conditions were that severe on the field, roads could become extremely dangerous.

Foster advised residents to stay home if they don’t need to drive this weekend.

Local resident Kathy Saddler said she is taking precautions and plans to avoid driving.

“I got me some batteries. I got me some water. I got me some food. I got a heater just for backup hope I don’t have to use that,” Saddler said. “I’m going to stay off the roads. I’m not going to get on the roads because I don’t, I’m kind of afraid of ice.”

Preparations are underway for a warming center at O’Neal Street United Methodist Church. Program manager Marybeth Heath said opening during the storm was necessary.

“There’s a very large number of poor people, under-housed people, here in this neighborhood. We serve about 200 meals a week, free meals. If we didn’t do this, there are people that would be very, very cold,” Heath said.

The warming center will open Friday at 2 p.m. and remain open throughout the storm. Foster said the county is prepared to open a larger shelter at a school if conditions worsen.

The South Carolina Department of Social Services plays a support role, but county governments make the ultimate decision on opening shelters. Once a county requests support, DSS works with the American Red Cross and other local partners to staff and manage shelters. DSS said it is ready to support Midlands counties if needed this weekend.

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