South Carolina: Troopers charge man with DUI after hitting Seneca police officer from behind

Troopers said they have charged a man after a Seneca police officer was hit from behind early Saturday morning.

Viewers tipped FOX Carolina off to the scene just before 1 a.m. when they saw the scene unfold at a nearby gas station. We reached out to Seneca police chief John Covington for details, and he clarified the situation.

According to Covington, a Seneca patrol vehicle was struck in the rear by another driver on Highway 123 around 12:22 a.m.

He said the driver was suspected of driving drunk and that both his officer and the suspect driver were being checked out by EMS. Covington says the suspect driver may have also hit the building that houses Mullen's Irish Pub Saturday morning, Covington said the officer was treated, received stitches, and was released from the hospital.

SCHP took over the investigation and eventually charged 36-year-old Harold Chastain Jr. with DUI first offense.

Chastain was arrested and taken to the Oconee County Detention Center.