Man who crashed into NCPD K-9 unit during high speed chase sentenced to 18 years

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – A man who slammed into the side of a North Charleston K-9 unit during a high-speed chase has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.

The crash happened during the night of June 12, 2018, while multiple law enforcement agencies attempted to apprehend Willis Terrel Ivey on outstanding warrants.

According to the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, law enforcement had blocked Ivey’s vehicle in, but the man was able to escape and led officers in a high-speed chase down Rivers Avenue.

Ivey traveled into on coming traffic at times, reaching speeds of 100 mph, before cutting back toward I-526; however, before reaching the interstate, Ivey collided with a marked NCPD K-9 SUV in the driver’s side door. The impact caused the unit to flip multiple times while careening down the road.

Ivey’s vehicle was disabled, and the man ran from the scene before being detained after a brief struggle.

Officials say the driver of the K-9 unit, Wilson Bishop who is now a State Trooper, and his K-9 partner Nero, survived the crash.

Ivey was found guilty Wednesday by a Charleston County jury following two days of trial. His charges included assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and failure to stop for blue lights.

Judge Heath Taylor sentenced Ivey to 18 years in prison.

“We appreciate the jury’s quick verdict and the Judge’s strong sentence, as it sends a clear message: reckless and dangerous conduct like Ivey’s – where law enforcement and civilians alike were put in harm’s way—will not be tolerated. Luckily, Trooper Bishop and K9 Nero were ultimately okay after the crash, but the end result could have been much more tragic,” said Managing Assistant Solicitor Daniel W. Cooper.