Report: Driver left traffic checkpoint, lost control, vehicle flipped several times

Staff Writer

By ANNA BROWN

Staff Writer

Public safety officers who heard the sounds of a wreck on Barnado Road Saturday night found a mangled vehicle with a man who had fled a traffic stop trapped inside.

It took rescue personnel more than an hour to free 20-year-old Travis Sims from his 1996 Ford Explorer. Sims, of 1405 Peach Orchard Road was flown by helicopter to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Authorities said his injuries are not life-threatening and he is scheduled to undergo surgery today.

The single-vehicle wreck occurred around 10:30 p.m. near the bridge and the intersection with Industrial Park Road. Officers had set up a license checkpoint nearby but many had left it when a fight broke out after a talent show at Union County High School.

Detained at traffic stop

Sims had stopped at the traffic stop and was detained when officers found he had no license.

Chief Sam White said officers were doing a name and date of birth check on Sims when several left to go to the fight, leaving Sims behind with a state trooper. The trooper stepped away to ask about the fight call and Sims drove off.

“The patrolman didn't realize he was gone,” White said. “A minute later the accident occurred.”

Sgt. Troy Wright and Officer Dean Allen were standing in the parking lot of the high school when they heard tires sliding. They found the Explorer smashed into a stand of pine trees on the side of the road in front of a mobile home.

Vehicle began flipping

Another motorist traveling in the opposite direction of Sims told officers Sims was traveling toward the high school and crossed the center line into her lane. She slowed down, Sims over-corrected and lost control of his vehicle. It began flipping and came to rest on its wheels in the trees.

Union County EMS, Union County Fire and Rescue, the City of Union fire department and Monarch firefighters were called to the wreck. They had to cut the roof from the Explore and pry back the dash before Sims could be removed.

“They did a great job,” White said.

A report said Sims' speed was estimated at 70 mph in a 55 mph zone. He will be charged with driving too fast for conditions.