DARLINGTON COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - Interstate 20 is reopened after bomb technicians were called to the scene to assess explosive materials uncovered in the trunk of a military deserter's vehicle.
Eastbound lanes reopened over three hours after the highway was shut down. The westbound lanes from mile marker 131 (Lamar Highway) to the 138 mile marker remained closed until the scene was cleared after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Darlington County Sheriff's Office spokesman Capt. Andy Locklair tells WMBF News the vehicle in question, which was stopped traveling westbound on Interstate 20 around 3 p.m., has been deemed safe for traffic to pass.
The investigation launched after further inspection of the vehicle revealed explosive materials used to make possibly incendiary devices in the trunk of the car. Andrew Jackson, a 19-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, was arrested for drug possession.
Haz mat workers were able to determine the liquid was actually six, 5-gallon containers of gasoline. Capt. Locklair says the robots with the SLED bomb squad removed them from the trunk.
Jackson was transported to the Darlington County Detention Center and is charged with a simple possession of marijuana. Jackson will remain at the detention center until he is picked up by the US Military in reference to desertion and AWOL charges from Fort Eustis in Virginia, according to Capt. Locklair.
At this time, no assembled devices have been located.
In addition to the SLED bomb squad, the National Guard has responded with the 43rd Civil Support Team, a specialized Chemical Hazmat Team. They were on scene to help the sheriff's office determine what that explosive liquid was.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol set up alternate routes to help travelers detour around the scene.
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The SCHP is detouring motorists along Timmonsville and Oates Highway.
Source: Capt. Andy Locklair, Darlington County Sheriff's Office
