Woman 'throws snake at driver then steals vehicle' before crashing in alleged car theft

A woman threw a snake at a driver before stealing the vehicle, then crashed it through barricades set up for a pole-vaulting exhibition in South Carolina, police have said.

Greenville Police identified the suspect as 29-year-old Hilmary Moreno-Berrios. They say she was injured in Friday’s crash but was discharged from hospital on Monday.

Authorities say Moreno-Berrios demanded a woman’s keys and then threw a live black snake at her.

She drove the stolen SUV with the snake still in it into barriers set up for the Liberty Bridge Jump-Off.

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The suspect was arrested a short time later after she struck a moving vehicle with a mother and daughter inside who had been attempting to flee.

"Miraculously", police say, no one was injured.

Moreno-Berrios is charged with carjacking, malicious damage to property and five traffic violations.

Police say the snake was not venomous and was released in nearby woods.