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North Augusta Man Leads Authorities on High-Speed Chase

Authorities engage in a high-speed pursuit in North Augusta.

News Summary

Fred David Campbell, a 46-year-old man from North Augusta, was arrested after leading police on a high-speed chase that crossed state lines. The chase began when police checked on Campbell, who was found asleep in his truck. Upon waking, he fled and reached speeds of 91 mph, evading capture for 24 miles. Campbell eventually crashed his vehicle and was taken into custody, facing multiple drug charges and a history of prior arrests.

North Augusta Man Leads Authorities on High-Speed Chase; Arrested with Multiple Drug Charges

North Augusta – Fred David Campbell, a 46-year-old man, was arrested on Monday morning after leading police on a high-speed chase that crossed state lines. The chase began around 9:17 a.m. when officers attended a well-being check at a McDonald’s on Georgia Avenue. Campbell was found asleep in his Nissan Titan pickup truck.

Initially, officers approached Campbell at the drive-thru and he seemed cooperative. However, he suddenly fled the scene, triggering a 24-mile pursuit where speeds reached up to 91 mph. Law enforcement officials from North Augusta and Richmond County pursued Campbell, who continued driving recklessly through neighborhoods and crossed into Georgia.

Details of the Chase

Officers deployed spike strips on Edgefield Road, which caused Campbell’s truck to lose three tires. Despite this setback, he continued to evade capture, showcasing a disregard for safety as he sped through multiple residential areas. Eventually, while traveling on I-520, Campbell struck a curb causing the side airbags in his truck to deploy. By the end of the chase, only one tire remained functional on his vehicle.

The pursuit concluded when deputies from Richmond County executed a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver near Wrightsboro Road, successfully bringing the vehicle to a stop. During the chase, Campbell discarded a bag from the window containing illicit substances, which later included methamphetamine, fentanyl, Xanax, and LSD. He now faces multiple charges stemming from this incident, including felony fleeing police, reckless driving, failure to stop for blue lights, and several drug-related offenses.

Criminal History

Campbell is no stranger to law enforcement, having a record as a North Augusta felon with over 15 prior arrests in the Augusta-Aiken area. His previous arrests often resulted in probation rather than time served. At the time of the chase, he was out on bond for a prior offense involving the distribution of meth in Aiken County, having been arrested on April 3 and released on a $5,000 bond just five days later.

His extensive criminal history includes charges such as shoplifting, assault, drug possession, domestic violence, and driving with a suspended license. He gained notoriety for a viral mugshot in 2020 after a bench warrant arrest, where he was detained in a restraint chair while bleeding from the head.

Public Reactions and Consequences

Witnesses were alarmed as the police chase unfolded. A video captured by a nearby driver circulated on social media, highlighting the dangerous nature of the pursuit. Testimonies from other motorists described a harrowing experience, with several expressing relief at having avoided Campbell’s speeding vehicle.

While the chase caused traffic disruptions, it did not fully block the interstate. Authorities have stated that the investigation is ongoing, and Campbell’s case will proceed through the legal system as he faces serious charges due to the reckless and dangerous behavior exhibited during the pursuit.