Orangeburg A South Carolina state trooper has resigned and a second was suspended as authorities investigate whether they used excessive force during a traffic stop in Orangeburg County.

Sid Gaulden, spokesman for the S.C. Department of Public Safety, said Lance Cpl. Chad A. Williams turned in his letter of resignation Friday. It took effect immediately, Gaulden said.

In addition, Senior Trooper R.V. Giddens has been suspended without pay since Aug. 1, Gaulden said.

The state Highway Patrol called on the State Law Enforcement Division to investigate an incident that took place on or around July 20, according to SLED Chief Robert Stewart. "I guess the best way to categorize this is that it's an allegation of excessive use of force," Stewart said.

There have been no charges filed against the troopers, Stewart said. All SLED findings will be turned over to local prosecutors, who will decide whether the lawmen will be charged.

Stewart did not know how long the investigation would take. "We're working as expeditiously, but as thoroughly, as possible," he said.

Neither Stewart nor Gaulden would say whether the incident was captured on video cameras often used on state troopers' cars.

Williams, with the Highway Patrol since July 1996, was in the news earlier this summer when he was struck by lightning while helping with a July 4 traffic accident. He was not seriously hurt and was back at work soon after.

Giddens has been a patrolman since July 2000.

The Highway Patrol has dealt with excessive-force incidents before.

Seven years ago, Lance Cpl. W.H. Beckwith was fired after dragging motorist Sandra Antor from her car with his gun drawn. She said she didn't know Beckwith was a trooper. He was riding in an unmarked car. The incident was taped by a camera in Beckwith's vehicle.

The woman later sued the Public Safety Department for negligence in training troopers. She settled out of court for $400,000.

In 2000, Trooper Derrick S. Burbage was indicted on charges of assault and battery with attempt to kill when he was caught on tape running next to a fleeing suspect's car and shooting him three times in North Charleston.

However, prosecutor Ralph Hoisington dismissed the charges and Burbage was returned to administrative duty.