2 juveniles hospitalized after chase in stolen car in Spartanburg Co.

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Two juveniles were hospitalized early Monday morning following a chase that ended in a fiery crash in Spartanburg County.

The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office was notified that two juveniles stole a car. Officials confirmed with 7NEWS that one suspect is a teenager and the other is a pre-teen.

When deputies spotted the vehicle, it was reported the suspects refused to stop for authorities.

A pursuit ensued, according to deputies.

During the chase, the sheriff’s office said the stolen vehicle crashed and overturned at the intersection of Walnut Hill Road and Walnut Hill Church Road.

The car then caught on fire according to deputies.

Authorities were able to remove both juveniles from the vehicle and transport them to the hospital. Deputies said the individuals’ parents were notified.

Gabriella Parham said if it weren’t for her dog, Bella, continuously barking to alert her, she would have missed seeing the two minors who drove off in her car.

“All I saw was a phone flashlight and I screamed get out of the car, unfortunately they sped off,” said Gabriella Parham, owner of the stolen car used in the chase. “We were notified that the lowest speed they were going was 80 miles an hour and the highest was 145 miles an hour.”

The sheriff’s office has not revealed the expected charges the juveniles face at this time.

“Nothing’s going to change about our lives besides a little inconvenience, but you guys could have died, let that sink in,” said James Parham, a witness and Gabriella’s husband.

The Parhams tell us the car in their driveway was locked, but the member of law enforcement who responded mentioned to them a Tik Tok trend that involves breaking into certain, older makes of cars, like Kia Souls, with a USB cord.

“They were able to break into my car, reverse it downhill, and start it, even though my key was inside the house, locked and safe,” said Parham.

They said it’s disappointing to see this in their neighborhood.

“The safety is the appeal to wanting to come and live here so to see this type of behavior escalate, this is an entire invasion and its just a stair step into breaking into homes,” said James Parham.

But Parham said this neighborhood will not put up with this if it continues.

“A lot more could have gone wrong, they are very lucky to be alive given the whole situation,” said Parham. “I just want to say that I hope that something positive comes out of this for their sake and ultimately for the sake of this neighborhood.”

The Parhams told us the minors were wearing masks to cover their faces when they were breaking into their car.

The incident remains under investigation by the SCSO.

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