Driver with machine gun inside car crashes into school bus during chase in South Carolina, SLED says (2025)

Stephanie Moore

Digital Media Manager

Driver with machine gun inside car crashes into school bus during chase in South Carolina, SLED says

644. IT’S TIME FOR NEWS TO GO. WE’VE GOT A LOOK AT TODAY’S TOP STORIES, YOUR NEWS STORIES, TRAFFIC, YOUR WEATHER, ALL BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT THE DOOR. WE START WITH SOME NEW NUMBERS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA’S HUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE. THE REPORT SAYS GREENVILLE COUNTY HAD THE MOST HUMAN TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATIONS IN SOUTH CAROLINA IN 2024, AND SLED INVESTIGATED 285 TIPS THAT INCLUDED NEARLY 400 POTENTIAL VICTIMS, MOST OF THEM MINORS. DATA ALSO SHOWED THAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATIONS WERE IN 40 COUNTIES ARE ONGOING, WITH ONLY SIX COUNTIES IN THE STATE NOT REPORTING A CASE. THE TOP FIVE COUNTIES FOR REPORTED INCIDENTS INCLUDE GREENVILLE, HORRY, RICHLAND, SPARTANBURG AND CHARLESTON. YOU CAN READ THE FULL REPORT ON WYFF4.COM. ADVOCATES SAY IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR IF YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT DOESN’T LOOK RIGHT, CALL THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE. THE HOTLINE IS CONFIDENTIAL. IT’S OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. AND THE TRIAL OF AN UPSTATE PIANIST ACCUSED OF MURDERING A WOMAN IN THE GREER NEIGHBORHOOD OF CANEBREAK HAS BEEN POSTPONED. OUR TANIQUA PENNIX JOINS US WITH MORE ABOUT THAT DECISION. AND WHEN THE TRIAL RESUMES. TANIQUA. WELL, PEYTON, SOLICITOR WALT WILKINS SAYS THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH JURORS AVAILABLE OR QUALIFIED IN THE JURY POOL FOR THE MURDER TRIAL OF 29 YEAR OLD ZACHARY HUGHES WAS EXPECTED TO BEGIN YESTERDAY AT THE GREENVILLE COUNTY COURTHOUSE. HUGHES IS ACCUSED OF STABBING 41 YEAR OLD CHRISTINA PARCELL TO DEATH IN OCTOBER OF 2021. 13TH CIRCUIT SOLICITOR WALT WILKINS HOPES TO RESCHEDULE IN FEBRUARY. HE SAYS THEY WERE HOPING TO SEAT 12 JURORS, WITH FOUR ALTERNATES. GRISHAM SAYS THE OFFICE HAS SENT OUT 211 JURY SUMMONS ALREADY FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 10TH. HE SAYS IT WILL TAKE AN ORDER FROM A CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE FOR MORE SUMMONS TO BE SENT OUT. PAYTON. THANK YOU. TANIQUA. SPARTANBURG COUNTY DEPUTIES ARE WARNING YOU ABOUT A LAW ENFORCEMENT IMPERSONATION SCAM. SHERIFF CHUCK WRIGHT SAYS SCAMMERS ARE CALLING PEOPLE IMPERSONATING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MAKING IT APPEAR AS IF THAT CALL IS COMING FROM A SHERIFF’S OFFICE NUMBER. THE MOST COMMON SCAM INVOLVES CALLERS BEING TOLD THEY’RE BEING SUBPOENAED FOR COURT OR JURY DUTY, AND THEY’LL BE ARRESTED UNLESS THEY SEND MONEY. THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE SAYS THEY’LL NEVER CALL YOU ASKING MONEY RELATED TO ANY LEGAL MATTER. IF YOU RECEIVE A CALL, JUST HANG UP AND CALL LAW ENFORCEMENT. AND GOVERNOR HENRY MCMASTER ANNOUNCED HIS BUDGET FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR AS A NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS TODAY IN THE PALMETTO STATE. OUR ISABELLE MARAK JOINS US FROM GREENVILLE. SHE HAS THE BUDGET BREAKDOWN. HEY, PEYTON. GOVERNOR MCMASTER SAYS THAT EVERY DAY THERE’S A NEW JOB OR NEW COMPANY OPENING UP HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. BUT COMPETITION REMAINS STRONG AMONG THE SOUTHERN STATES. SO HE SAYS A BUDGET THAT PRIORITIZES MAINTAINING OUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES IS KEY. HIS PRIORITIES THIS YEAR, FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ACCELERATES INCOME TAX CUTS, RAISES TEACHER PAY AND INVESTS IN CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND DISASTER RELIEF. THE GOVERNOR’S BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES FUNDING TO ENSURE A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER IN EVERY SCHOOL, AND MEASURES TO MAKE HIGHER EDUCATION MORE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE. AND AFTER HURRICANE HELENE, HIS BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES A PROVISO TO LOOK INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF MOVING POWER LINES UNDERGROUND. REPORTING IN GREENVILLE, ISABELLE MARAK, WYFF NEWS FOUR. ISABELLE THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES HAVE LEFT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN NEED, BUT OFFICIALS ARE WARNING PEOPLE TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SCAMS. THE FBI HAS THESE TIPS TO SPOT A SCAM. LEGITIMATE CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS, WEBSITES USE.ORG, NOT.COM. DON’T CLICK ON LINKS YOU GET THROUGH TEXT OR EMAILS. INSTEAD, TYPE OUT THE WEBSITE ADDRESS TO SEE IF IT’S REAL AND WATCH OUT FOR CHARITIES WITH COPYCAT NAMES. SOME EVEN CREATE FRAUDULENT ORGANIZATIONS WITH NAMES THAT SOUND EERILY LEGITIMATE AND ARE EASY TO FALL FOR, LIKE AMERICAN RED CROSS OF CALIFORNIA. SOUNDS GOOD, SOUNDS LEGITIMATE, SOUNDS OFFICIAL. IT’S NOT. IF YOU DO HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT A CERTAIN CHARITY, THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION SUGGESTS USING SITES LIKE THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU OR CHARITYNAVIGATOR.ORG TO VERIFY A SPECIFIC CHARITY AND NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION TO SOMEONE YOU DON’T KNOW. THE OSCAR NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN DELAYED A SECOND TIME BECAUSE OF THE WILDFIRES. THAT WAS ONE OF SEVERAL CHANGES THE ACADEMY MADE, INCLUDING EXTENDING THE VOTING PERIOD UNTIL FRIDAY. THE OSCARS NOMINEES LUNCHEON, WHICH WAS SCHEDULED FOR EARLY FEBRUARY, HAS BEEN CANCELED, AND THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL AWARDS, WHICH WAS SLATED FOR MID-FEBRUARY, WILL BE RESCHEDULED TO A LATER DATE. THE CEREMONY ITSELF IS STILL SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 2ND AT THE DOLBY THEATER IN HOLLYWOOD, AND PLANS TO TEAR DOWN A HISTORIC RACETRACK ARE PAUSED IN PICKENS COUNTY RIGHT NOW. DEVELOPERS ASKED PICKENS FOR APPROVAL ON A PROJECT THAT WOULD CONTINUE TURNING THAT SITE INTO A MULTI-USE INDUSTRIAL PARK. THE PROJECT WAS DIVIDED INTO THREE PHASES. PHASE ONE IS ALREADY UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW. PHASE TWO RECEIVED APPROVAL. PHASE THREE, INCLUDING THE LAND OVER THE RACETRACK, WAS DENIED AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT. THE COMMISSION DID LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN TO COMPROMISE FOR BOTH DEVELOPERS AND FANS OF KEEPING THE TRACK. THOSE AGAINST THE DEVELOPMENT SAY PUTTING ANYTHING OVER THAT LAND WOULD DESTROY HISTORY AND WANT MORE TIME TO EXPLORE OTHER OPTIONS. WHY TEAR THAT DOWN AND TRY TO REPLACE IT WITH SOMETHING THAT’S GOING TO MAKE MONEY, WHEN THAT COULD MAKE MONEY TOO, OR THAT COULD EVEN MAKE MORE MONEY, AND IT COULD BE. AND A GREAT SAVE FOR THE COMMUNITY. PICKENS COUNTY STAFF SAYS DEVELOPERS ARE ABLE TO COME BACK WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR WITH A NEW PROPOSAL, LEAVING THE DOOR OPEN AGAIN FOR BOTH DEVELOPERS AND FANS TO COME TOGETHER. MOVING ON TO SOME NATIONAL NEWS. A QUARTER OF A MILLION PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND PRESIDENT ELECT DONALD TRUMP’S INAUGURATION. THE FBI SAYS AT THIS TIME, THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC OR CREDIBLE THREATS. SECURITY MEASURES WILL INCLUDE DRONES, VARIOUS SECURITY CHECKPOINTS, MORE THAN 25,000 MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND MORE THAN 30 MILES OF ANTI-SCALING FENCES AND BARRIERS. POLICE ARE ALSO PREPARING FOR MORE THAN 12 ORGANIZED PROTESTS ON INAUGURATION DAY, WITH AS MANY AS 2500 PEOPLE. OKAY. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. 650. IT’S FREEZING OUT THERE. 32 DEGREES IN SPARTANBURG AND IN GREENVILLE. 28 IN RUTHERFORDTON. GOOD MORNING. HENDERSONVILLE. 25 FOR YOU RIGHT NOW. AND 31 IN ELBERTON. WE ARE CALM ALL ACROSS THE REGION, WHICH IS NICE. WE’VE GOT CLEAR SKIES, SO A WHOLE LOT OF SUNSHINE IS COMING OUR WAY TODAY. IN FACT, IT’S GOING TO LOOK AND FEEL VERY SIMILAR TO YESTERDAY. GETTING BACK INTO THE LOWER 50S FOR DAYTIME HIGHS. THAT’S PRETTY CLOSE TO THE SEASONAL AVERAGE, BY THE WAY. 53 IS THE NORMAL HIGH AT GSP RIGHT NOW. AS WE TAKE A LOOK FOR THE MOUNTAINS WE WILL GET ABOVE FREEZING. BUT IT’S GOING TO TAKE US A WHILE. IT WON’T BE UNTIL AFTER MIDMORNING. GETTING CLOSE TO THAT LUNCH HOUR, BUT WE WILL GET ABOVE FREEZING TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 30S TO RIGHT AROUND 40 DEGREES TODAY, WHICH IS NICE. COMING UP, WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AT SOME RAINFALL COMING OUR WAY THIS WEEKEND. I’LL HAVE YOUR FOUR DAY PLUS THAT’S IN ABOUT 6 OR 7 MINUTES FROM RIGHT NOW. BUT FIRST LET’S GET YOU OUTSIDE AND GET A CHECK ON OUR TRAFFIC. HOW’S IT LOOKING OUT THERE, PEYTON? THINGS ARE LOOKING GOOD. THIS IS I-35 SOUTH AT WOODRUFF ROAD. JUST A FEW CARS ON THE ROAD. HEY, THIS IS A NICE CHANGE FROM MIDDLE OF THE DAY ON WOODRUFF ROAD. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT OUR TRAVEL TIMES RIGHT NOW. ALL IN THE GREEN. THROUGHOUT THE MORNING. WE’RE UP TO 12 MINUTES ON I-240 ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY. THAT’S I-26 EASTBOUND. IT WAS 11 MINUTES EARLIER. I-85 SOUTHBOUND AIRPORT TO WOODRUFF ROAD. THAT’S SIX MINUTES HOLDING STEADY. I-35 NORTHBOUND, THAT’S FAIRVIEW ROAD TO DOWNTOWN. THAT’S AT 13 MINUTES AT THIS POINT. AND THE UPSTATE PREGNANCY CENTER IS HOSTING ITS FIRST DIAPER DRIVE OF THE YEAR. TODAY. IT’S IN CLINTON AT THE VICTORY WORSHIP CENTER PARKING LOT JUST OFF OF HIGHWAY 76 FROM 4 TO 6 THIS EVENING. NOW YOU HAVE TO BRING A PHOTO ID AND PROOF OF CUSTODY OR BIRTH DOCUMENTATION. THE ID IS ONLY REQUIRED IF YOUR FIRST TIME VISITING EACH HOUSEHOLD CAN RECEIVE ONE PACK OF DIAPERS AND WIPES PER CHILD FOR UP TO TWO CHILDREN PER HOUSEHOLD. LIMITED FORMULA WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE. AND AS ANDERSON COUNTY CONTINUES TO GROW, SO DOES ITS CORONER’S OFFICE. MEMBERS OF THE OFFICE WERE SWORN IN YESTERDAY BY CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE R SCOTT SPROUSE. CORONER GREG SHAW SAYS MOST OF HIS DEPUTY STAFF ARE EMTS, PARAMEDICS OR NURSES WITH MAYBE A BACKGROUND IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. AND HE SAYS THIS HELPS IN A LOT OF THE CASES THEY WORK. IN THE PAST YEAR, THE ANDERSON COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE HAD NEARLY 2500 CASES. AND ONCE AGAIN, THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WYFF4.COM PARTNERED WITH THE GREENVILLE NEWS FOR THE HOLIDAY SUNSHINE FUND. AND YOU HELPED US RAISE MORE THAN $85,000. IT’S ALL THANKS TO YOU. THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH. EVERY BIT OF THIS MONEY IS GOING TO GO TO OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED RIGHT HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND TODAY IS NATIONAL DRESS UP YOUR PET DAY. WHO KNEW YOU CAN CELEBRATE BY DRESSING UP YOUR FURRY FAMILY MEMBER IN A COMFORTABLE PET CLOTHING, MAYBE EVEN MATCHING OUTFITS. IF YOU WANT TO GET CRAZY, JUST MAKE SURE YOU NEVER RESTRICT MOVEMENT OR YOUR PET’S ABILITY TO BREATHE WITH YOUR ACCESSORIES. MA

Advertisement

Driver with machine gun inside car crashes into school bus during chase in South Carolina, SLED says

Stephanie Moore

Digital Media Manager

A driver with a machine gun inside a vehicle crashed into a school bus during a chase in South Carolina, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.On Dec. 13, SLED agents said they tried to pull over a vehicle in Chester, but the vehicle didn't stop and a chase started. Matthew Cunningham, 19, fled from law enforcement and drove into a school bus near the intersection of Saluda Street and J.A. Cochran Bypass, SLED officials said. More news: Former Upstate school superintendent files lawsuit against some membersThe school bus was carrying one child and two adults. The child was taken to the hospital as a precaution and has been released. Cunningham and the 16-year-old passenger in the vehicle were both taken to the hospital for injuries.More news: Woman dies after being hit while crossing road in front of her home, coroner saysCunningham, 19, was charged with failure to stop for blue lights, child endangerment, and simple possession of marijuana. South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice petitions were filed against the 16-year-old male passenger for unlawful possession of a machine gun and unlawful possession of a handgun by a person under 18-years-old.More news: 3 people charged after 83-year-old woman dies from overdose, deputies sayCunningham was booked into the Chester County Detention Center. The 16-year-old was released to a parent upon the advice of the solicitor’s office and is pending a hearing in family court.

CHESTER, S.C. —

A driver with a machine gun inside a vehicle crashed into a school bus during a chase in South Carolina, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

On Dec. 13, SLED agents said they tried to pull over a vehicle in Chester, but the vehicle didn't stop and a chase started.

Advertisement

Matthew Cunningham, 19, fled from law enforcement and drove into a school bus near the intersection of Saluda Street and J.A. Cochran Bypass, SLED officials said.

More news: Former Upstate school superintendent files lawsuit against some members

The school bus was carrying one child and two adults. The child was taken to the hospital as a precaution and has been released. Cunningham and the 16-year-old passenger in the vehicle were both taken to the hospital for injuries.

More news: Woman dies after being hit while crossing road in front of her home, coroner says

Cunningham, 19, was charged with failure to stop for blue lights, child endangerment, and simple possession of marijuana. South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice petitions were filed against the 16-year-old male passenger for unlawful possession of a machine gun and unlawful possession of a handgun by a person under 18-years-old.

More news: 3 people charged after 83-year-old woman dies from overdose, deputies say

Cunningham was booked into the Chester County Detention Center. The 16-year-old was released to a parent upon the advice of the solicitor’s office and is pending a hearing in family court.

Driver with machine gun inside car crashes into school bus during chase in South Carolina, SLED says (2025)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Terrell Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 6128

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (52 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terrell Hackett

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Suite 453 459 Gibson Squares, East Adriane, AK 71925-5692

Phone: +21811810803470

Job: Chief Representative

Hobby: Board games, Rock climbing, Ghost hunting, Origami, Kabaddi, Mushroom hunting, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.