Mount Pleasant officials honor first responders in Sullivan’s Island car attack

WCBD News 2  June 18, 2025

The Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce met Wednesday to honor the local, state, and federal agencies who responded to an intentional hit-and-run on Sullivan’s Island that left one adult and two children injured.

Over 100 state, federal, and local law enforcement officers jumped into action on May 1 after a man, later identified as Justin Collin Adams, hit three people with his car outside Sunrise Presbyterian Church School on Sullivan’s Island and ran.

An hours-long manhunt ensued, with law enforcement going door to door and searching by air before successfully taking Adams into custody, and Wednesday, they were honored for their efforts

“It’s incredible to see the response in the Lowcountry: when something happens, somewhere it’s all-hands-on-deck,” said Isle of Palms Mayor Phillip Pounds.

Twenty-five law enforcement agencies searched for Adams, who is accused of deliberately driving his car into a group of children and now faces multiple attempted murder charges.

“To watch the entire law enforcement community, not just the Charleston area, but the state and the federal elements coming together for one common goal: to make sure Sullivan’s Island was safe because this man was out and on the loose,” said Sullivan’s Island Deputy Chief Monty Anders.

Adams was taken into custody without incident after he was found hiding in a boat near a dock across the street from where the hit-and-run crash happened.

Law enforcement used the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office’s new helicopter, Air-1, to locate him hiding.

“Everybody working together, there were no issues with somebody wanted to be in charge or somebody wanted to dictate everybody worked together as one unit unfortunately we don’t have the opportunity to train as a big group, but each departments individual training is what allowed everyone to come together,” said Anders.

June is a significant month for first responders in the Lowcountry.