What started as a routine traffic stop near Interstate 20 on Tuesday morning ended with six deputies and several police dogs being hit with bear spray, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
The driver, 53-year-old Keith Kasyjanski, is now facing charges from two counties.
A traffic stop that turned into a chase
Around 10:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, a Richland County deputy pulled over a vehicle on Fairfield Road near I-20. Deputies said the driver had been speeding and drifting out of his lane.
When the deputy asked for identification, the driver refused. He then drove off, and deputies went after him.
The chase crossed the county line into Fairfield County. Deputies, with help from K-9 units, caught up with the driver near Columbia Road and Ninth Street.
Bear spray used on deputies and dogs
According to the sheriff’s department, even after he was caught, the driver pulled out bear spray. He sprayed the K-9s first, then turned it on five Richland County deputies. A Fairfield County deputy was also hit.
Bear spray is a strong form of pepper spray designed to stop large animals, and it can cause intense burning in the eyes, skin and lungs.
Richland County deputies used a Taser on the man and took him into custody.
EMS crews treated the deputies and the dogs at the scene to wash off the spray. Officials have not said whether any of them needed further medical care.
Charges from two counties
Kasyjanski was taken to a hospital to be treated for a K-9 bite and for the Taser. Once he is released, he will be booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
Richland County deputies charged him with:
- Reckless driving
- Failure to stop for blue lights and siren
Fairfield County deputies charged him with:
- Six counts of assaulting an officer while resisting arrest
- One count of injuring a police dog
Deputies said Kasyjanski already had several outstanding warrants with the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office and Winnsboro Public Safety before Tuesday’s arrest.
The charges are accusations, and Kasyjanski is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Source: Richland County Sheriff’s Department, as reported by WIS
