News

Two charged with trying to run down deputy

Bryson Freeman, 22, of Saluda, and Richard McMahan, 20, of Hendersonville, are charged with assault with a deadly weapon against a government official.

By Lightning Reports, Published: February 5, 2020

EDNEYVILLE — A motorist who allegedly tried to run over a deputy during a traffic stop early Tuesday was charged with assault with a deadly weapon on the deputy.

Deputies responded to a call at 5:40 a.m. Tuesday from Stepp Ponderosa Trail in Edneyville about a reported discharge of a firearm. When deputies arrived, they spoke with the caller, obtained a vehicle description and a possible suspect vehicle location.

While attempting to locate the suspects, a deputy observed a vehicle matching the description given to them earlier, approaching on Pilot Mountain Road. The deputy stopped his vehicle, activated his emergency lights, and began to exit his patrol vehicle. The suspect vehicle slowed and then rapidly accelerated towards the deputy. The deputy dove back into his patrol vehicle as the suspect vehicle struck the driver’s door, slamming it shut. The door of the sheriff's cruiser sustained moderate damage and the deputy was not injured.

After narrowly missing the deputy, the suspect vehicle drove into a nearby orchard and hit several apple trees before sliding into a drainage ditch. The driver and passenger fled on foot but deputies were able to develop their identity and took them into custody on Wednesday.

Bryson Freeman, 22, of Saluda, and Richard McMahan, 20, of Hendersonville, were both charged with assault with a deadly weapon against a government official. Freeman was jailed under a $15,000 bond. McMahan was jailed under a $20,000 bond.