South Carolina Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison After Attacking Good Samaritans with Tire Iron

Jacob Lloyd Lower sentenced to 120 months in federal prison after crashing his car and attacking helping bystanders with a tire iron in Irmo, SC.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 8:51 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The State

Violent Response to Roadside Assistance

A routine response to a single-vehicle collision in Irmo, South Carolina, escalated into a federal criminal case following a series of unprovoked attacks. On April 25, 2022, 31-year-old Jacob Lloyd Lower crashed his vehicle and subsequently targeted "good Samaritans" who had stopped to provide aid. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Lower utilized a tire iron to physically assault the bystanders while simultaneously attempting to hijack their vehicles to flee the scene.

The Manhunt and K-9 Apprehension

Upon the arrival of the Irmo Police Department, Lower abandoned the crash site and fled into a heavily wooded area between Broad River Road and I-26. During his escape, he reportedly attempted to steal a truck from a nearby parking lot but was unsuccessful. A Richland County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit was deployed to track the suspect, eventually discovering a blood-stained shirt discarded in the brush. Lower was located and arrested shortly thereafter while hiding in the woods behind local commercial establishments, including a Starbucks and Circle K.

Discovery of Narcotics and Illegal Firearm

At the time of his arrest, law enforcement recovered a .22 caliber pistol and 300 rounds of ammunition from Lower’s person. He was also found in possession of several controlled substances, including Fentanyl, Xanax, and LSD. Due to a prior criminal record that includes convictions for second-degree burglary, grand larceny, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, Lower is legally prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition under federal law.