Nicholas Daniel Austin Papala Death – The South Carolina Highway Patrol confirmed that they responded to a single-car wreck reported at 2:52 a.m. Sunday on Interstate 85 at mile marker 71. A spokesperson for the Highway Patrol informed the Herald-Journal on Monday morning that one lane was blocked and no one was present with the vehicle.
Following the crash, the driver, identified as Nicholas Daniel Austin Papala, 25, of N. Fairview Street in Spartanburg by the Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office, allegedly fled into the woods. Papala was located in the woods by fire department personnel using thermal imaging, with a state trooper also present.
Upon being found, Papala inquired if the personnel were law enforcement. Upon learning they were not, Papala informed them he had a gun and requested to be informed when law enforcement arrived, as per the Sheriff’s Office.
The Highway Patrol contacted the Sheriff’s Office for backup around 3:40 a.m., with another state trooper arriving at 3:51 a.m. Fire department personnel retreated from the woods, and four sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene, locating the suspect on the other side of a fence, according to the statement.
The suspect did not comply with multiple verbal commands, lifted his shirt, and reached for an object in his waistband, as per the statement. All four deputies discharged their weapons at the suspect, resulting in his death, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that no deputies sustained injuries. Coroner Rusty Clevenger mentioned that a forensic examination is scheduled for Papala on Monday. The State Law Enforcement Division stated that they are investigating the case following a request from the on-scene agencies.
