South Carolina Lawyer Blog
A rear-end crash near Woodruff has resulted in a felony DUI charge and six people injured.
The wreck happened January 11 when a driver ran into the back of another car on Highway 221, causing it to flip over and then drifted into oncoming traffic and hit another car head-on.
Three passengers in the flipped car – along with all three drivers – were taken to the hospital.
There were 357 drunk driving deaths in South Carolina in 2010, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This represents almost 8 deaths per 100,000 population.
Thirty-eight people under the age of 21 were killed in South Carolina alcohol-related crashes in 2010.
Here is a news report of the Woodruff wreck:
One man has been charged with felony DUI after a wreck sent several people to the hospital Friday morning.
Investigators say it happened around 10:45 AM on Highway 221 just outside of Woodruff.
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Michael Dean Staggs, 40, hit a small car from behind, causing it to overturn. Stagg’s car crossed into oncoming traffic and hit another vehicle head-on.
Three people in the small car were ejected. Authorities say they were not wearing their seatbelts at the time. Those three people, along with the drivers of all three cars involved were taken to the hospital for their injuries.
Staggs has been charged with felony driving under the influence resulting in great bodily injury.
The highway was blocked for several hours after the crash.
In 2008, South Carolina ranked sixth in the nation in motor vehicle deaths, and first in the percentage of automobile deaths that were accident-related.
The consequences of a South Carolina car crash caused by a drunk driver can be devastating, including staggering medical bills, permanent injuries, disability and even death.
Source: WSPA-TV 7 http://www2.wspa.com/news/2013/jan/11/2/wreck-blocks-highway-221-spartanburg-co-friday-ar-5346548/