Florence County, South Carolina – A speeding vehicle on Interstate 95 turned into a high-speed pursuit and narcotics arrest in Florence County after deputies said a driver refused to stop and later tried to run from law enforcement.
The incident began on May 7, 2026, while deputies with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Unit were patrolling I-95.
According to authorities, deputies attempted to stop a vehicle that was traveling at more than 100 miles per hour. Instead of pulling over, the driver continued on, leading deputies on a pursuit that reached speeds of more than 120 miles per hour.
Read also: Florence County traffic stop leads to major fentanyl seizure on Interstate 95
Investigators later identified the driver as 36-year-old Travis Michael Coward, of 2645 Memory Lane in Florence. Deputies said the pursuit moved toward the Timmonsville area before law enforcement brought the chase to an end by using a PIT maneuver, which disabled Coward’s vehicle.
The end of the vehicle pursuit did not immediately end the incident. Authorities said Coward then attempted to flee on foot. He was later apprehended with help from a deputy’s patrol K-9.
During the investigation, deputies alleged that Coward threw a black leather bag from the vehicle at some point during the chase. The bag was later recovered and searched. According to the sheriff’s office, it contained several suspected narcotics, including crack cocaine, marijuana, cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine and oxycodone.
Coward was arrested the same day and booked into the Florence County Detention Center. Authorities said he is being held without bond.
He has been charged with multiple offenses, including Possession of Controlled Substances, Possession of Cocaine Base, Possession of Fentanyl, Trafficking in Cocaine, second offense, Distribution of Methamphetamine, Failure to Stop for Blue Light and Resisting Arrest.
The case adds another serious narcotics-related arrest to the work of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Enforcement Unit, which patrols major travel routes such as I-95. Officials said additional information about Coward’s booking can be found through the FCSO Booking Website.
