Three Tazer 'hits' needed to subdue suspect
By TIM GULLA Ledger Staff Writer tim@gaffneyledger.com

SAUNDERS

A 28-year-old Gaffney man suspected of multiple hit-and-run collisions early Saturday in the city was shocked with an electric stun gun three times because of his reported resistance to being taken into custody, according to a lengthy police report filed Monday.

Aaron Christopher Saunders, of Ellis Ferry Road, was booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center on Saturday on charges of driving under suspension, malicious damage to property, possession of a suspended driver's license, driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident, breaking arrest and simple possession of marijuana.

Cash bond on all of the charges was set at $3,782, according to Cherokee County Detention Center records.

According to a police report, Officer J.R. Sizemore was dispatched to the area of Birnie Street and Wall Street regarding a report of multiple hitand run accidents. The driver of a 1986 Honda with a dealer license plate, which had been left at the scene, had allegedly fled on foot.

The police report shows Saunders subsequently was found in a Concord Avenue home, sitting in a chair. Saunders allegedly told police he was not going to jail.

Police said they spent several minutes talking with Saunders and that it appeared he would cooperate. However, police said Saunders began fighting with them as they attempted to place him in handcuffs.

Fearing that Saunders would hurt himself or the officers, a member of the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office assisting Gaffney Police shot Saunders with a Tazer stun gun. Police said the Tazer didn't appear to have any affect and that Saunders continued to fight with them, prompting the officer to activate the Tazer a second time.

While subsequently attempting to place him in a cruiser for transport, police said Saunders refused and started to fight with officers again. The Tazer was used a third time to get Saunders into the cruiser, according to the police report.

Police said Saunders subsequently was taken to Upstate Carolina Medical Center for treatment and then booked at the Cherokee County Detention Center.

A witness to the hit-and-run accidents said Saunders had initially struck a vehicle and then driven down Birnie Street toward Limestone Street. Turning back on Birnie Street toward Wall Street, a witness told police Saunders struck three more vehicles before turning onto Wall Street.

A witness on Wall Street then saw Saunder's vehicle veer to the left and strike a fifth vehicle, that was pushed into a sixth vehicle.

Police said they found a film canister containing suspected marijuana in Saunder's pocket. Blood alcohol test results were pending a subpoena of medical records from the hospital, according to the police report.