A man is facing multiple charges after escaping from Gaffney Police – while in handcuffs and leading officers on a chase in one of their patrol cars - that ended in a crash. 

Police stopped Ronnie Tijuan Martin, 36, during a safety checkpoint on West Floyd Baker Boulevard at 2:12 a.m. Wednesday. Officers arrested Martin for DUI and placed him into the rear seat of a police car with his hands handcuffed from behind. 

Martin opened the door of the police car while officers went to check on his vehicle and got into the front seat. Martin drove away in the police car. An officer suffered an ankle injury as the suspect drove away. 

Police say Martin lowered the rear door window of the police car and reached outside to open the car door before jumping into the drivers seat. 

Gaffney Police chased Martin on Floyd Baker Boulevard onto Logan Street before the pursuit went onto North Limestone Street. Martin drove off the road several times, striking the curb and a pole, causing two of the tires on the police car to deflate. 

The chase ended when the suspect collided with another car on North Limestone Street. EMS and the fire department took over the care of the suspect and the driver of the other car. 

Martin is charged with DUI, escape, grand larceny, failure to stop for blue lights, possession of a stolen gun and possession of narcotics.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.