Accidents can happen suddenly, catching even the most prepared person off guard. One minute, you may be strolling to a restaurant after a long day at work, and the next minute, someone else's carelessness can change your life forever. Personal injury victims not only endure negligence but also experience pain and worry about their families and ability to work. Often, these victims cannot afford to focus on work and family when they're injured or even clinging to life in an ER. Without a personal injury attorney in Chesterfield, SC, to fight for their rights, these same victims provide official statements by mistake to insurance companies. They accept embarrassingly low settlement offers without realizing that they deserve much more.
If you've been hurt in an accident recently, ask yourself these questions:
With 30.21 personal injury cases for every 100,000 residents in South Carolina - 217% higher than the national average - it's not surprising that men and women like you are asking the questions above. At the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, our hearts hurt for victims who are suffering needlessly.
Because, at the end of the day, they're not just hurting physically. They're struggling to make ends meet due to the cost of car repairs, medical bills, doctor's appointments, and loss of income. Fortunately, personal injury laws in South Carolina state that the parties found responsible for your suffering and pain must account for your expenses. With a personal injury lawyer by your side, you have a real shot at getting the compensation you deserve.
If you've been injured in an accident in South Carolina, you have the right to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. If the insurance company doesn't offer a fair settlement, consider speaking with our Chesterfield personal injury lawyer.
At the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, our goal is to help accident victims in South Carolina recover the maximum amount for their losses, including damages for pain and suffering. Unlike some personal injury law firms, our expert attorneys know that no two cases are ever exactly the same. That's why we take a personalized approach to each case that comes across our desk.
You can rest easy knowing that your personal injury case starts with a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. During this initial meeting, we'll review your accident, determine liability, and recommend the best legal course of action for you. Max Sparwasser and his team focus on a range of personal injury categories, including the following:
Injured victims choose Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC because we put our clients' needs first.
Max dedicates focused attention to your claim and is confident that once you've met and talked to him, you will feel comfortable entrusting him with your personal injury case.
Your case is going to be handled personally by Max, properly and professionally. NO FEES are collected unless you are paid benefits.
Now that you know a little bit more about our personal injury law firm and how we take care of our clients, let's take a look at two of the most common types of personal injury cases we take: Car accidents and workers' compensation.
As an experienced personal injury attorney, Max has the right training and legal tools to assist with your compensation claims and your personal injury case as a whole.
If you've ever been in a minor fender bender, you know how frustrating and scary it can be when police are called and insurance companies get involved. Dinging a car is one thing, but a full-on car wreck is a completely different story. A car accident in Chesterfield can result in significant expenses such as vehicle damage and medical costs.
If a distracted driver kills your loved one, the impact on your family can be profound and long-lasting. Survivors of car accidents often experience emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other challenges that alter their quality of life. In the face of these life-changing events, aggressive representation from a personal injury attorney in Chesterfield, SC, can maximize your chances of winning your case.
Here's an uncomfortable truth to digest: Insurance companies often aim to pay out as little as possible. Fortunately, you can protect yourself from their tactics by getting the right legal support for your personal injury claim.
When you report a crash to an insurer, they'll assign an adjuster to your case. However, these adjusters deal with many cases and may not fully understand yours. If an insurance claims adjuster contacts you, be cautious. They aren't looking out for your best interests. It's common for adjusters to push for settlements that undervalue your claim.
Stick to the facts if you talk to an adjuster and refuse to provide a recorded statement or agree to any settlement. Instead, wait until you've consulted with a personal injury attorney. At the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, our team of car accident lawyers will assess the true worth of your claim and protect you from being taken advantage of by insurance companies.
When you hire a personal injury attorney in Chesterfield, SC, from Max Sparwasser Law Firm, you don't have to know all our state's car crash and insurance laws. We have the expertise, knowledge, and resources to handle any case related to a car accident in the Lowcountry. Our long-time car accident attorneys can handle the legal proceedings for you and provide you with peace of mind during negotiations. With that said, we understand that the more you know about South Carolina's car wreck laws, the better you can safeguard your rights after an accident.
As such, here are three car wreck laws in South Carolina you should understand:
It's important to keep in mind that there's a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a car accident claim in South Carolina. Typically, you need to pursue your claim against the at-fault driver or another party within three years of the car accident. However, there are certain cases that require action within two years. If you fail to file your personal injury claim within the specified deadline, you may forfeit your right to make a claim permanently.
Like many other states, South Carolina operates under a "fault" insurance system. This system holds the driver responsible for covering the damages of the injured party if they are at fault for the accident.
If you are in a car accident and it leads to a personal injury claim due to negligence, the court needs to determine that you (the plaintiff) are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If you are found to be more than 50% responsible, you will lose your right to seek compensation. However, if you are 50% or less at fault, you will receive at least some compensation. Your award will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you.
When drivers take the wheel, they bear the responsibility of being careful and attentive to their surroundings. This means watching out for other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and all road users. However, if a driver chooses to text, eat, or talk on the phone while driving, they are failing to do so and are behaving negligently.
Negligence involves acting carelessly, resulting in harm or damage. Other examples of negligence include:
If you've been in a car accident and need help understanding our local laws or the role of negligence in your case, schedule your free claim assessment with the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, today. The sooner you know your rights and file a claim, the sooner our lawyers can advocate on your behalf. Our accident lawyers will uphold your best interests despite pushback from insurance companies and the complex legal system in South Carolina.
While South Carolina's workplace incidence rate was lower than the national average in 2020, tens of thousands of workers were reportedly injured on the job. In fact, private employers in South Carolina reported 29,100 nonfatal injuries and illnesses, resulting in an incident rate of 2.1 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers. In 2021, the private sector reported 30,300 such injuries and illnesses, leading to an incidence rate of 2.2 cases per 100 workers, many of whom hired.
Public sector employers reported 8,100 injury and illness cases in 2021, with 72 percent occurring among local government workers. Occupational illness trends in South Carolina mirrored those seen nationwide. In 2020, the private sector accounted for 4,200 of the total reported cases, and 3,100 in 2021, showing a 26 percent decline.
Respiratory illnesses made up 79 percent of the total occupational illnesses reported in South Carolina in 2020. In 2021, 89.8 percent of private industry recorded incidents were injuries.
Personal injury attorneys in Chesterfield, SC, fought some of the state's biggest employers in court, including brands such as:
While there is no single federal law governing workers' compensation, every state in the U.S. has its own workers' compensation system. This program provides financial benefits to employees who experience job-related injuries or illnesses. Typically, an injured worker can receive workers' compensation benefits without needing to prove their employer's negligence. In exchange, the employee forfeits the right to file a personal injury claim against the employer.
Under the state workers' comp system, an injured employee will be reimbursed for all necessary medical treatment following a workplace accident. If the injury or illness leads to more than seven days of missed work, the employee will receive 66.66% of their average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount. Workers may also receive compensation for permanent disabilities or disfigurement. The maximum award for death or total disability is 500 weeks of compensation.
Lifetime benefits are available in cases of paraplegia, quadriplegia, and brain injury. It should be noted that trying to
In South Carolina, most employees are eligible for workers' compensation benefits if they suffer an injury or illness while working. Employees don't need to prove fault; they just need to prove that the injury or illness happened at work or during a work-related activity. Unfortunately, there are exceptions under the SC State Workers' Compensation Act, meaning some employers never qualify for workers' compensation.
Those restrictions apply to:
Employers who fall under the SC State Workers' Compensation Act must maintain the required minimum amounts of workers' comp insurance. If you're trying to pick up the pieces after being injured at work, contact the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC today. Our personal injury attorneys will work tirelessly to get you the help you need to rebuild your life.
Many injured workers assume they can save money by foregoing a personal injury attorney to oversee their workers' comp claim. In reality, many plaintiffs lose money - or don't get the proper amount they're owed - when they choose not to hire a lawyer. If you were recently injured at work and are on the fence about retaining counsel for your case, keep these facts in mind.
To safeguard your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation, injured individuals must file a workers' compensation claim. Unfortunately, many people come up with reasons why they shouldn't file a claim before determining whether their claim is valid.
Some of the most common reasons for doing so include:
You should know that making the decisions above doesn't necessarily disqualify you from making a workers' comp claim. That's why it's so important to work with an experienced workers' compensation lawyer. Great workers' comp attorneys - like those at the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC - thoroughly assess your case and help determine whether you have a valid claim for workers' compensation benefits.
Here's a safely kept secret in the insurance industry: Skilled workers' compensation lawyers create risk. Insurance companies hate risk because it exposes them and causes them to lose money. An experienced workers' compensation lawyer takes on risk by developing the best strategy to maximize your benefits and gathering evidence that will be admissible in a hearing.
Do you truly understand the benefits you're entitled to? Do you know what you need to prove in order to win? Do you know how to effectively present that evidence? This can be quite complex, even for attorneys, which is why an injured employee alone doesn't pose much of a threat to the insurance company. That's why professional help from a qualified attorney is essential in workers' comp cases.
It's important to keep in mind that there's a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a car accident claim in South Carolina. Typically, you need to pursue your claim against the at-fault driver or another party within three years of the car accident. However, there are certain cases that require action within two years. If you fail to file your personal injury claim within the specified deadline, you may forfeit your right to make a claim permanently.
It's important to keep in mind that there's a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a car accident claim in South Carolina. Typically, you need to pursue your claim against the at-fault driver or another party within three years of the car accident. However, there are certain cases that require action within two years. If you fail to file your personal injury claim within the specified deadline, you may forfeit your right to make a claim permanently.
Whether you have been injured in a car accident, hurt at work, or are struggling with another type of personal injury situation, know that our team is here to help. Our personal injury attorneys in Chesterfield, SC are insurance claims experts and know how to negotiation and achieve maximum financial compensation. The best part? We take all cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay us unless we win. That's the Max Sparwasser Law Firm difference. Contact our office today to learn more about personal injury cases in South Carolina and whether or not you have a valid claim.
GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTSThe latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.Your Email AddressPrivacy Notice UPDATE: According to officials, one of the four inmates who escaped the Chesterfield County Detention Center has been captured.Emanuel Robson Planco was captured by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in Richland County on Thursday.Richland County Sheriff...
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UPDATE: According to officials, one of the four inmates who escaped the Chesterfield County Detention Center has been captured.
Emanuel Robson Planco was captured by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in Richland County on Thursday.
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Original Story below:
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is assisting the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office in a search for four inmates who escaped custody, officials said Wednesday.
Emanuel Robson Planco, Anton Conway Bennett, Kyonne Marquise McLeod, and De’Shawn Malik Fox escaped from the Chesterfield County Detention Center on Tuesday, according to Renée Wunderlich with SLED.
Planco and Bennett were serving time for charges of stealing a vehicle, McLeod was charged with breaking into a vehicle, and Fox was an inmate from another South Carolina county who was serving time for an armed robbery and assault by a mob, reports said.
Chesterfield County officials said the men worked together to break out of the jail late Monday night.
SLED
Emanuel Planco, Anton Bennett, Kyonne McLeod, De’Shawn Fox
They said the men were in an overflow area of the detention center because the jail, which has a capacity of 95 prisoners, had 130 people incarcerated that night.
The escapees kicked down a steel door, got outside and scaled a barbed wire fence, according to officials.
This is the third jailbreak at the facility in two years.
Chesterfield County Sheriff Cambo Streater said the jail is consistently over capacity and that the county needs a new facility.
"It's a very old facility and it is; it needs to be replaced for a lot of reasons," Streater said. "Also, as I said, we're investigating, and part of our investigation will be to determine if any of our personnel were at fault in this. If it is, we will take the appropriate action."
Anyone who sees the men should not approach them but call 911, Wunderlich said.
Anyone with information about where they are is asked to call the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office tip line at 843-287-0235.
(WPDE) — Early voting begins on Monday in South Carolina.The South Carolina State Election Commission is encouraging registered voters to make their mark ahead of time by voting early in the statewide general election.The early voting period is Monday, October 21 to Saturday, November 2.TRENDING: Superintendent addre...
(WPDE) — Early voting begins on Monday in South Carolina.
The South Carolina State Election Commission is encouraging registered voters to make their mark ahead of time by voting early in the statewide general election.
The early voting period is Monday, October 21 to Saturday, November 2.
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Early voting centers are open 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
To prepare for the polls, make sure to bring a copy of your photo ID to check-in. Get a copy of your sample ballot, voting locations and more by visiting the South Carolina Election Commission website.You can also contact your county voter registration office.
Below is a list of locations for early voting by county:
HORRY
Horry County Board of Voter Registration & Elections 1515 4th Ave Conway, SC 29526
Loris Public Safety Center 3909 Walnut St. Loris SC 29569
Aynor Town Hall 600 S Main St, Aynor SC 29511
Carolina Forest Library 2250 Carolina Forest Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
North Strand Recreation Center 120 Hwy 57 S Little River, SC 29566
South Strand Recreation Center 9650 Scipio Ln Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
HCCOA Grand Strand Senior Center 1268 21st Ave N, MB SC 29577
GEORGETOWN
Andrews Recreational Center 220 S Cedar Ave. Andrews, SC 29510
Choppee Recreational Center 8259 Choppee Rd. Georgetown SC 29440
Waccamaw Recreational Center 83 Duncan Ave, Pawleys Island SC 29585
Georgetown County Registration Office 303 N Hazard St, Georgetown SC 29440
FLORENCE
Florence County Board of Voter Registration & Elections 219 Third Loop Rd Florence, SC 29505
Lake City Public Library 221 E Main St. Lake City, SC 29560
Pamplico Public Library 100 E Main St Pamplico, SC 29583
Timmonsville Public Library 298 W Smith St Timmonsville, SC 29161
Olanta Public Library 210 E Hampton St Olanta, SC 29114
Johnsonville Library 242 S Georgetown Hwy Johnsonville, SC 29555
Mt. Zion AME Church 1305 E Cheves St., Florence, SC 29506
DILLON
Dillon County Board of Voter Registration & Elections 305 West Hampton St Dillon, SC 29536
DARLINGTON
Darlington County Elections & Registration Annex 135 Cashua St Darlington, SC 29532
Jerusalem Baptist Church 301 S Sixth St. Hartsville, SC 29550
Lamar Library 103 E Main St Lamar, SC 29069
Cherry Grove Missionary Baptist Church 552 E Billy Farrow Hwy Darlington 29532
CHESTERFIELD
Chesterfield County Board of Voter Registration & Elections 205 W Main St Chesterfield, SC 29709
MARION
Marion County Admn. Building 2523 E. Hwy 76 Marion, SC 29571
MARLBORO
Marlboro County Court House 105 E Main St. Bennettsville, SC 29512
Information for voting absentee is below:
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — The hunt is on to find four inmates who escaped early Tuesday morning from the Chesterfield County Detention Center on Goodale Road in Chesterfield, according to Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Campbell Streater.Emanuel Robson Planco, Anton Conway Bennett, Kyonne Marquise McLeod and De’Shawn Malik Fox escaped early Tuesday morning. These individuals are wanted for escape and other charges from the Chesterfield County Detention Center.Streater said they’ve called in the St...
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — The hunt is on to find four inmates who escaped early Tuesday morning from the Chesterfield County Detention Center on Goodale Road in Chesterfield, according to Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Campbell Streater.
Emanuel Robson Planco, Anton Conway Bennett, Kyonne Marquise McLeod and De’Shawn Malik Fox escaped early Tuesday morning. These individuals are wanted for escape and other charges from the Chesterfield County Detention Center.
Streater said they’ve called in the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to help track down the inmates.
SUGGESTED: Darlington Co. inmates under investigation for contraband items
Streater said one of the inmates has robbery charges out of Darlington County, but was being held in his jail for safekeeping reasons.
According to Streater, the inmates got a six-hour head start on deputies and could be as far as Columbia, South Carolina.
The inmates had escaped nearly five hours before anyone realized they were gone, according to Streater.
"Immediately as soon as we found out, we started searching. Darlington County is assisting us. The state law enforcement, division, SLED has got manpower up here, assisting. And we are looking all over we know where the four guys are from. Where their homes," said Streater.
The information regarding how the inmates managed to escape is not being released at this time. Streater said they are investigating if any of his correctional officers were negligent in their duties.
Thomas Dixon said he was in the jail Monday about to be released on a trespassing charge when the jail went on lockdown.
At the time, Dixon said he didn't know the escape triggered a lockdown.
"The judge came and released me. But, they still held us in jail up to 12:30 today. And we were supposed to be out at 9 o'clock," said Dixon.
This is the third time since last summer that the detention center has had escaped inmates.
The sheriff said the jail is 60 years old and not in the best shape.
He told ABC15 that correctional officers do walk through the facility throughout the night.
Streater said they do a head count of inmates every morning and night.
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He said it is hard to determine if an inmate is missing when guards are doing their walk-throughs because the jail is overcrowded.
Streater told ABC15 that the jail has 130 inmates and is only built to accommodate 95.
"We have them in areas that are secure areas. But you know we only have so many people. And you can’t watch everything at every time. But that is a part of our investigation. We are going to look and see exactly what happened," said Streater.
Streater said the search has expanded to the Columbia area and he is hoping to get an update soon with more information on the search.
Investigators are also looking into if the inmates stole a 2015 pickup from a car lot on Patrick Highway in Chesterfield County to use in their getaway.
“We are looking into that. It’s a possibility. But we are at this moment. We are looking into it,” said Streater.
The Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office shared a picture of the truck on social media.
The pickup has since been recovered.
Inmates who are charged with escaping from detention centers in South Carolina face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
If you have any information on any of these individuals, Sheriff Cambo Streater asks you to contact the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office tip line at 843-287-0235.
This is an ongoing investigation and no additional information will be released at this time.
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The 2024 general election is quickly approaching, but South Carolina voters will not have to wait until Election Day to cast a ballot.Governor Henry McMaster signed a law in May 2022 that replaces in-person absentee voting with an early in-person voting period for the two weeks leading up to election days.Any registered voter, including those w...
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The 2024 general election is quickly approaching, but South Carolina voters will not have to wait until Election Day to cast a ballot.
Governor Henry McMaster signed a law in May 2022 that replaces in-person absentee voting with an early in-person voting period for the two weeks leading up to election days.
Any registered voter, including those who will be 18 years old by the Nov. 5 general election, can cast a ballot during the early voting period without an excuse.
“Early voting provides a convenient and secure way for you to cast your ballot,” said Howie Knapp, the executive director of the South Carolina Election Commission. “Find an early voting center in your county, vote just like you would at your polling place on Election Day, and have your voice heard.”
Early voting for the 2024 election begins on Monday, October 21, and ends on Saturday, Nov. 2.
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Here’s what voters need to know:
The ballot will include seven candidates for president, according to officials:
An eighth candidate — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — was initially nominated by the South Carolina Alliance Party. However, party leaders withdrew him from the ballot in August after he suspended his presidential campaign.
Additionally, each of South Carolina’s seven U.S. House of Representatives seats is up for election.
All 170 seats in the South Carolina state legislature — 124 in the House and 46 in the Senate — are also up for grabs this year. Some are uncontested, however.
Some ballots will also include races for county sheriff, circuit solicitor, probate judge, coroner, school board, and other countywide and local races.
Voters can find out who is on the ballot where they live by obtaining a sample ballot from the South Carolina Election Commission.
South Carolina adopted new state legislative district maps in December 2021 following the 2020 U.S. Census. Some district lines were redrawn, new districts were created, and some districts were eliminated.
Voters can find out which district they live in on the South Carolina legislature’s website.
Each county in South Carolina is required to have at least one polling location open for early voting. Some larger counties may have multiple open locations while smaller counties may have just one early voting site.
Early voting centers are open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the early voting period. Early voting is not available on Sunday, Oct. 27.
Here are the early voting locations* in the Lowcountry, by county:
Chester County
Chesterfield County
Lancaster County
York County
You can find the complete list of early voting locations in every South Carolina county here.
Editor’s Note: The list of early voting centers may be updated as additional information becomes available.
A valid photo ID is required to vote in South Carolina elections, including during the early voting period. Acceptable forms of identification include:
State law requires an individual to register to vote at least 30 days before an election.
The deadline to register for the 2024 election is Monday, Oct. 14.
There are several ways you can register to vote in South Carolina:
1 – South Carolinians can register online by visiting scvotes.gov before midnight on Oct. 14. You will need your South Carolina Driver’s License or DMV ID card.
2 – Download a voter registration form from scvotes.gov. Complete and return the form to your county voter registration office either by fax or email before midnight on Oct. 14, or by mail – but it must be postmarked by Oct. 14.
3 – Register in person at your county voter registration office. Remember: most offices close at 5 p.m. for in-office registration.
Voters can check their registration status by visiting scvotes.gov.
CHESTERFIELD — It’s been six days since four inmates escaped from the Chesterfield County Detention Center, and only one of them is back in custody.»UPDATE (Tuesday, 10/22): Another escaped South Carolina inmate is in custody. Two are still on the run.Emanuel Robson Planco traveled 75 miles before the Richland County Sheriff’s ...
CHESTERFIELD — It’s been six days since four inmates escaped from the Chesterfield County Detention Center, and only one of them is back in custody.
»UPDATE (Tuesday, 10/22): Another escaped South Carolina inmate is in custody. Two are still on the run.
Emanuel Robson Planco traveled 75 miles before the Richland County Sheriff’s Department apprehended him Oct. 17.
Law enforcement is still searching for Anton Conway Bennett, Kyonne Marquise McLeod and De’Shawn Malik Fox.
Law enforcement arrested a woman Oct. 16 who they believe helped the inmates escape.
Zaryeal Nharia Dixon, 21, of Darlington was charged with aiding escapes from prison for prisoners charged with a noncapital offenses, according to the Chesterfield County booking report.
It's still unclear how the inmates escaped, but Chesterfield County Sheriff Campbell Streater said that Dixon coordinated with the escapees through text message. People in the detention center are allowed to text, but they’re monitored. Authorities were able to identify Dixon from the messages, Streater said.
Authorities don’t yet know if Dixon was physically at the jail when the four inmates escaped Oct. 15, Streater said, and it’s unclear how many inmates she communicated with. Dixon was denied bond by in Chesterfield County Magistrate Court and will have to appear in circuit court for a bond hearing.
Bennett was being held on charges for vehicle theft and Fox was being held on charges for assault and battery. McLeod was being held on charges for breaking into motor vehicle or tanks, pumps, where fuel, lubricants stored. The charges for Planco prior to his escape were not immediately available.
Streater said the inmates got a five-hour head start before law enforcement noticed they were gone.
Streater said the sheriff's office will not be releasing any other information about how the inmates escaped until an internal investigation is complete.
Chesterfield County Detention Center has had two other inmates escape since June 2023. The most recent incident involved an inmate leaving the detention center through a door that was left propped open. That inmate was back in custody within 24 hours.
Streater said that since then, they have taken measures to solve the problem that led to that escape.
“We fixed what was wrong then and what contributed to it,” Streater said. “Those have been fixed. This was an entirely different scenario.”
After the internal investigation into this current incident, Streater said the sheriff's office will address any issues to prevent future escapes.
“Obviously there were mistakes made in this, and that’s what we’re looking into,” Streater said.