‘Fentanyl’s taking over’: 3 deaths on same day in Chesterfield County

CHERAW, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office says they’re investigating three deaths believed to be related to fentanyl poisoning on Monday.

Officials responded to calls regarding the incident on Aug. 21, 2023, between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. along McQueen Road near Chesterfield and Cheraw.

According to the sheriff’s office, two victims were found on McQueen Road, and another died earlier in the day in the same neighborhood. There have been no arrests so far.

“We did find fentanyl at the first location,” said Sheriff Cambo Streater. “The second location — found some drugs there. We don’t have the results of it, but all appearances, it’s fentanyl-involved.”

A baby was also reported dead several days ago when felony child abuse charges were being pursued, Streater told Queen City News.

Streater also shares an emotional connection with the drug, as he lost his daughter to it in March.

“Fentanyl’s taking over,” Streater said. “We’re trying our best, it’s out there, and we’re investigating numerous deaths right now in Chesterfield County where drugs are involved, and we’re waiting on the (toxicology), but we’re pretty sure fentanyl’s involved.”

Streater said another person in the hospital is on life support and is believed to be connected with this incident.

Authorities advise the public not to touch or ingest any substance they suspect may contain fentanyl and to contact law enforcement immediately.

The Sheriff’s Office, Coroner, Lancaster County Coroner, and State Law Enforcement Division are all involved in the investigation.

Earlier this year, South Carolina passed a law allowing dealers to be charged with overdose deaths, and National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day was on Monday.