The investigation into charges against a woman who drove over her estranged husband during a domestic altercation that left her husband and an Orangeburg County deputy dead is now over.

First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe announced late Friday the investigation is closed concerning the actions of both Tiffany Jones and Tammy Jones in the early morning hours of May 3.

Derrick Buras died May 3 after being run over outside of his Boyer Road mobile home near Holly Hill. He was struck and killed when his estranged wife, Tiffany Jones, attempted to flee in a vehicle being driven by her sister, Tammy Jones.

The fatal incident occurred after Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. William Howell, a 16-year law enforcement veteran, was shot and killed during a confrontation with Buras.

“In my opinion, this really wasn’t even a close call,” Pascoe said. “No crime was committed in the death of Mr. Buras.”

“It is my opinion that Tammy Jones did not intend to strike Buras and (Ricky) Infinger with her vehicle as she departed the residence,” wrote First Assistant Solicitor Tommy Scott who handled the investigation for the solicitor’s office. “It further appears that this incident was caused solely by the efforts of Derrick Buras, who made it abundantly clear that he intended to prevent Tiffany and Tammy Jones from safely leaving the residence that night.”

Police say the 20-year-old Buras had just shot and killed Deputy Howell when he attempted to extract his estranged wife, Tiffany Jones, from the vehicle.

According to the SLED and solicitor’s office investigation, Tammy Jones then sped away in the vehicle, striking Buras in the process.

Initially, investigators believed Buras’ estranged wife, Tiffany Jones, was operating the fleeing vehicle. Police later learned Jones’ sister, 16-year-old Tammy Jones, was driving the car that struck Buras and dragged his body to a ditch on the other side of the road. He wasn’t found for several hours.

Howell was posthumously promoted to corporal after he died from a single gunshot wound to the upper body. The OCSO deputy had responded to an escort call from Tiffany Jones, who was attempting to retrieve her belongings from the mobile home.

Howell was also there at the Boyer Road home to serve a bench warrant on Buras for failing to appear. The Holly Hill man had failed to show up for court in April to face a charge of assault and battery with intent to kill, two counts of assault with intent to kill and a count of battery of high and aggravated nature for a July 2007 incident.

Also during the May 3 incident, Ricky Infinger, an acquaintance, received minor injuries when he was struck by the car as it sped past. Pascoe said Infinger was trying to help the two women escape when Buras apparently went into a rage.

“He needs to be commended for attempting to disarm Mr. Buras,” Pascoe said. “He possibly saved the lives of Tiffany and Tammy Jones.”

Pascoe said no other charges or investigations are ongoing. Friday’s decision brings all investigations into the fatal shooting to a close.

T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5516.

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