Edgefield County Man Killed in Two County Chase

Edgefield County Man Killed in Two County Chase

An Edgefield County man was killed Sunday night, February 9, after a two county car chase that began in Aiken County ended in Edgefield County.  The chase began near the Wal-Mart in North Augusta when North Augusta Public Safety attempted to stop a burgundy Chrysler driven by Ernest Satterwhite, 68, of Edgefield County.  Instead of stopping, Satterwhite fled from the officers down Hwy 25 toward Edgefield County, hitting at least two other vehicles during the chase.  There were no reported injuries from those accidents, however.  Deputies with the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit at Square Circle Ranch Road and Edgefield Road.  Satterwhite continued north until turning onto Rose Drive and stopped at a residence on Edgefield Road. 

According to a report filed with the ECSO, NAPS officers approached the vehicle from either side as an ECSO deputy followed.  As an NAPS officer neared the driver’s side window, the suspect reportedly grabbed the officer’s gun at which time the officer fired “three or four” shots into the vehicle.  Satterwhite, who was injured but not dead, was removed from the vehicle and secured, and NAPS officers attempted to treat the him until EMS arrived.  Satterwhite was taken by EMS to Georgia Regents University Hospital in Augusta, GA, where he later died.

According to the Edgefield County Coroner’s Office, an autopsy was being performed on the body Monday morning.  Results from this autopsy are expected to reveal if Satterwhite was under the influence of any drugs or alcohol at the time of this incident.