Master Dep. Robert Bittner and Master Dep. Levi Reiter were injured in the attack. (Photo: Charleston County SO)
A man is dead and two Charleston County Sheriff's deputies are being treated for head injuries after officials say they were beaten with one of their own batons during a fight on U.S. Highway 78 Sunday.
Sheriff's Maj. Eric Watson said the two deputies responded to U.S. Highway 78 and Pinewood Drive around 4 p.m. because a man was walking barefoot in the roadway and impeding traffic. Watson said the deputies approached and at some point the man took one of their batons and struck them both in the head.
At least one of the deputies deployed a Taser, Watson said, adding it's not clear if the Taser was effective. No shots were fired, he said.
The deputies who were involved have been identified as Deputy Robert Bittner and Deputy Levi Reiter.
With the help of 6-10 bystanders, the man was brought down and taken into custody. Others captured the fight on video and turned that video over to authorities.
Michael White said he and his wife were driving along 78 when they saw the man battling with deputies, both of whom were bleeding.
"We saw two officers being tackled down over there the assailant was very combative at the point where me and three or four other people decided to join in and get the assailant down," White told ABC News 4. "About this time the guy was extremely combative, reaching for weapons and anything else. We all took the necessary measures to make sure the officers were safe."
