West Columbia, SC (Paul Kirby) – The SCHP is saying that the man who hit and seriously injured a Lexington County Sheriff’s department K-9 officer several weeks ago in a head on collision is being placed under arrest today. He is being released from the hospital where he was recovering and will immediately be taken into custody. Troopers said after the crash that Michael Jordan Nichols, 36, will be charged with Felony DUI resulting in Great Bodily Injury.
Nichols was taken to the hospital with serious injuries himself after the wreck. He did survive the crash and has been recovering in the hospital since the accident. It is usually the policy of law enforcement agencies not to arrest suspects that require hospitalization until after their release. The taxpaying citizens pay for medical care of prisoners, while a suspect is responsible for his own medical bills. Prisoners also require constant guard while in a medical facility which is a drain on manpower. If a suspect cannot physically escape, they need not be guarded and the hospital can advise the appropriate agency when their release date draws near.
Troopers believe Nichols was swerving across the four-lane highway and crossed over the center line prior to hitting the deputy’s cruiser. Lexington County Deputy and K-9 Handler Roy Hall was driving down South Lake Drive near Paps Drive around 5:55 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2019 when this occurred. Hall is not and will not be back at work for some time himself.
Nichols is said to face a judge for a bond hearing sometime Friday morning after 10:00 a.m. We will update you on the results of this hearing after it has concluded.
