"Not Tonight" ... Today's guilty plea is a reminder that a routine traffic stop can turn dangerous in an instant. Chance Etheredge was sentenced to 8 years in prison for assaulting an officer while resisting arrest. Etheredge was pulled over by South Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Jason Snider for suspicion of DUI. Shortly after completing the field sobriety tests, Etheredge was determined to be under the influence.

Trooper Snider was attempting to arrest Etheredge for DUI and Etheredge said "not tonight" prior to pulling away, entering his vehicle, and grabbing his gun. Once Etheredge exited his vehicle with a gun, Trooper Snider shot Etheredge. He was treated for a non-life-threatening injury.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division determined that the shooting was lawful under the circumstances and cleared Trooper Snider. According to Solicitor Rick Hubbard, "this Trooper should be commended for his professionalism and his actions. We want to thank all law enforcement officers for the work that they do."

Eleventh Circuit Assistant Solicitor Todd Wagoner handled the prosecution of this case.