Woman Hoarding Gas Catches On Fire After Police Chase Sends Car Rolling

The Colonial Pipeline closure sent shockwaves across much of the East Coast as drivers flocked to gas stations ahead of potential price increases and fuel shortages. The increased demand, in turn, caused the shortages in several states when many people went to extreme measures to get gas.

Some drivers filled up multiple gas cans while others poured gasoline into flimsy plastic bags. One woman in South Carolina found herself in a dangerous situation after a police chase ended with her car, filled with hoarded gas, to roll over and burst into flames, herself included.

On Thursday (May 13), a Pickens County Sheriff's deputy attempted to pull over a vehicle after noticing that the plates were stolen, according to Jalopnik. Rather than pull over, the driver, later identified as 28-year-old Jessica Patterson, reportedly sped up in an effort to evade police. She quickly lost control and flipped the car, which immediately burst into flames.

The deputy reported hearing "multiple explosions" from inside the car, which turned out to be several containers of fuel inside the trunk. Patterson emerged from the wreckage and appeared to be on fire, so the deputy rushed pushed her to the ground to put out the flames, according to a statement from the sheriff's office.

Emergency responders arrived on scene and took Patterson to a hospital for treatment. As of Friday afternoon, her condition is unknown and officers have not said whether she will face any charges. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigation the incident.

Fox Carolina News managed to capture video of what remains of the burned-out car.

Photo: Getty Images