Deputy Deploys Taser Twice on Suspect

A Dorchester County deputy deployed his Taser twice on a suspect allegedly resisting arrest Sunday.

According to the incident report, Eric Thompson, 30, of Ridgeville was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, failure to stop for blue lights and driving under suspension.

Deputies were alerted to a fight at the 50 Yard Line on Dorchester Road 2 a.m. Sunday. Witnesses said a man driving a Cadillac drove off and might be armed. When a deputy attempted to pull over the Cadillac identified, the driver (Thompson) allegedly attempted to evade him by driving more than 70 miles per hour.

The pursuit was brief, according to the report. 

Once pulled over, the deputy asked Thompson to step out of the vehicle and turn around. But according to the incident report, Thompson would not turn around after multiple requests. The deputy deployed his Taser the first time, noting in the report that he was not sure if Thompson was armed. 

On the ground, Thompson was then asked to roll over, but allegedly didn't comply. A second Taser was deployed, according to the report. Then, the deputy handcuffed him. 

The report said the Taser went into Thompson's hand. After his arrest, Thompson was transported to Summerville Medical to be treated for injuries. He was cleared by the hospital and transported to the county jail in St. George. 

 and, in February, a husband accidentally deployed a Taser on his wife after church.