Man sentenced to 18 years in prison for chase and collision with K9 unit in N. Charleston

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) – A Charleston County judge has sentenced a Huger man to 18 years in prison for a 2018 police chase that ended in a collision with a K9 unit.

Willis Terrel Ivey, 32, was found guilty of assault and grievous bodily harm and failing to stop for blue lights after a two-day trial.

These allegations stem from an incident that occurred on June 14, 2018 at approximately 8 p.m., when members of the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, North Charleston Police, City of Charleston Police and Charleston County deputies confronted Iveys Arrest warrants and his whereabouts found out driving.

Four police cars attempted to corral Ivey, but he escaped and fled down Rivers Avenue into oncoming traffic, reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. He stayed in oncoming traffic for about a mile before continuing toward I-526.

As he attempted to drive through an intersection toward the interstate at a high rate of speed, he struck the driver's side door of a North Charleston Police K9 Tahoe, causing it to bounce down the road several times. The accident disabled Ivey's car, so he fled on foot.

The police chased him and arrested him after a short struggle.

The K9 unit's driver, Wilson Bishop, now a trooper, and his partner, K9 Nero, both survived the accident.

“We appreciate the jury’s quick verdict and the judge’s strong verdict as it sends a clear message: Reckless and dangerous behavior like Ivey’s – which put law enforcement and civilians alike in harm’s way – will not be tolerated,” the deputy said Attorney Daniel W. Cooper said. “Fortunately, Trooper Bishop and K9 Nero were ultimately fine after the crash, but the end result could have been much more tragic.”

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