Apr 23, 2013 | Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Uncategorized
Last Saturday night in Rock hill, a motorcyclist and a driver collide
d, putting them both in the hospital and shutting down on of the busiest streets in Rock Hill: Dave Lyle Boulevard.
Dave Lyle, as Rock Hillians refer to it as, is a stretch right off of Interstate 77 where multiple accidents often occur. The issue seems to be related to distractions and lights, as it is most often reported.
In the case at hand, the 31-year-old female motorists was not wearing her helmet, and slammed into a vehicle while pulling off of the highway and onto Dave Lyle.
The 31-year-old was thrown from her motorcycle and quickly rushed to the hospital with serious injuries via helicopter.
The driver of the motor vehicle also suffered injury, but they were minor in comparison. She is expected to make a full recovery.
If a motorcycle is in a collision with a larger vehicle the damage to the motorcycle is generally greater and the chances of serious injury to the motorcycle driver are greater. Motorcycles do not offer the same structural protections that other vehicles offer. If you are driving on the roads take notice of motorcycles on the road and keep in mind to drive more cautiously around them. Some common causes of motorcycle accidents include cars making a left turn in front of a motorcycle, not checking blind spots before changing lanes, and cars pulling out on the street in front of motorcycles.
The attorneys of Reeves Aiken & Hightower, LLP stand ready to fight for you if you have been in serious accident in South Carolina. You can then call us 877-374-5999 for a private, confidential consultation to review your particular case.
Apr 18, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
A Spartanburg woman has been charged with Felony DUI causing death after a crash that killed a man. The crash occurred in Spartanburg,
and troopers say that the 64-year-old woman was driving south when she flew off the road, hit a tree, and killed her 59-year-old passenger.
She was arrested and charged with felony driving under the influence, according to the troopers. She is being detained at the Spartanburg County Detention Center, while the crash continues to be investigated by the SC Highway Patrol.
Felony DUI charges usually apply when a DUI offense has been accompanied by an accident which resulted in great bodily injury, or the death of another driver, or passenger. If a person is being accused of committing such a DUI offense, it is likely that the charge will result in a felony. Under South Carolina Code 56-5-2945, “great bodily injury” is defined as “any bodily injury that either causes great risk of death, or causes serious permanent disfigurement to any part of a person’s body.”
One who has been charged with Felony DUI as a result of the death of another driver or passenger will likely face even more serious charges. In the state of South Carolina, there were over 300 fatalities in 2011 involving drivers with blood alcohol concentrations over the legal limit. This makes up about 40% of the traffic fatalities in the state.
A person who has been charged with DUI resulting in “great bodily injury” may face 30 days to 15 years in prison, fines between $5000 and $10,000, and drivers license suspension during the jail-time in addition to three years.
Next, if the driver being charged has been involved in a DUI resulting in death, they may spend 1 to 25 years in prison, be assessed a mandatory fine of $10,000 to 25,000, and license suspension during the jail-time plus 5 years.
The following is the statute that speaks to DUI resulting in “great bodily injury:”
56-5-2945. Offense of felony driving under the influence; penalties; “great bodily injury” defined.
(A) A person who, while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or the combination of alcohol and drugs, drives a motor vehicle and when driving a motor vehicle does any act forbidden by law or neglects any duty imposed by law in the driving of the motor vehicle, which act or neglect proximately causes great bodily injury or death to a person other than himself, is guilty of the offense of felony driving under the influence and, upon conviction, must be punished:
(1) by a mandatory fine of not less than five thousand one hundred dollars nor more than ten thousand one hundred dollars and mandatory imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than fifteen years when great bodily injury results;
(2) by a mandatory fine of not less than ten thousand one hundred dollars nor more than twenty-five thousand one hundred dollars and mandatory imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than twenty-five years when death results.
A part of the mandatory sentences required to be imposed by this section must not be suspended, and probation must not be granted for any portion.
(B) As used in this section, “great bodily injury” means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.
The Department of Motor Vehicles must suspend the driver’s license of a person who is convicted or who receives sentence upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere pursuant to this section for a period to include a period of incarceration plus three years for a conviction of Section 56-5-2945 when “great bodily injury” occurs and five years when a death occurs. This period of incarceration shall not include any portion of a suspended sentence such as probation, parole, supervised furlough, or community supervision. For suspension purposes of this section, convictions arising out of a single incident shall run concurrently.
(C) One hundred dollars of each fine imposed pursuant to this section must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Public Safety for the Highway Patrol.
The moral of the story here is that South Carolina does not take it easy on DUI offenders. The State is especially tough on Felony DUI cases. Therefore, it is imperative for you to retain a competent lawyer to handle your case. At the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP we have over 75 years of combined experience in assisting clients with concerns and problems. Give us a call at our Baxter Village office located in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Apr 17, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
The South Carolina Highway Patrol has reported that a 22-year-old woman, who was traveling the wrong way on the westbound land of US 76 caused a collision with a 20-year-old male driver. Both drivers were brought to the Medical Center in Florence, South Carolina.
The woman is being charged with Felony DUI; however, she has not been booked yet due to the fact that she remains in the hospital. She was found to be traveling under the influence, and will be charged with Felony DUI because she caused great bodily injury to the other driver.
DUI fines and penalties in South Carolina vary with regard to whether the driver was a repeat offender; whether the person’s blood alcohol level is beyond a .16 or higher. In South Carolina, by a person’s fourth DUI, they will likely lose their license. However, South Carolina, as well as most other states is beginning to stiffen their DUI penalties. Many drivers, who are repeat offenders, or who have been charged with an aggravating DUI charge are forced to put ignition interlock systems in their vehicles; and, this is at their own expense.
Due to the often changing DUI laws in the state of South Carolina, it is very important for one who has been charged with a DUI to retain competent counsel. At Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP, we have a combined 75 years experience and can help to resolve your problem to the best of our abilities. For a consultation, give us a call at toll-free 877-374-5999, and we will be happy to assist you.
Apr 17, 2013 | DUI & DWI, Felony DUI, Uncategorized
South Carolina State Troopers have detained a woman who they allege hit and killed a man with her
vehicle. The 53-year-old woman is being charged with felony DUI involving death. The 26-year-old victim was struck by the vehicle around 10:00 p.m. on Highway 321 near Columbia, South Carolina.
The Dodge Stratus collided with the young man as he was walking along the median along the highway. He was taken to Palmetto Hospital where he died around 3 hours later from the injuries he sustained in the accident. The woman is being detained in Richland County Correctional Facility with a charge of felony DUI.
If you or a loved one has been charged with DUI or Felony DUI, the State of South Carolina imposes some serious consequences. Further, if the Felony DUI results in death, this could bring a sentence of up to 25 years if a person is convicted. Therefore, call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP if you have a question regarding a pending DUI charge in North or South Carolina. Call us toll-free at 877-374-4444.
Apr 17, 2013 | Assault and Battery, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
Tuesday night was grim for one individual in particular when a Charlotte man was shot and left for dead at the scene of the crime.
According to police reports, the man was found dead in his home off of Marlowe Avenue in West Charlotte a little after 11:30 p.m.
A neighbor was responsible for contacting the police, when she heard a group of men yelling at one another, shortly followed by gun shots.
The police have stated that this home in particular had been subject to numerous investigations in its possible interlinking to drug distribution and trafficking.
The police are currently canvassing the entire neighborhood in hopes of finding a witness who knows more details to to incident at hand.
Sadly, all that is known as of now is that a man is dead, and no one is stepping forward to admit or deny anything.
The police have been unable to identify any suspects in this shooting but strongly encourage anyone who had any information to contact the .
Being involved in any sort of altercation can be scary. What is even scarier is when the argument escalates and weapons become involved. If you or someone you know has been involved in a serious accident or even a death, contact the personal injury attorneys at Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower, LLP. We are equipped to handle cases ranged from personal injuries and wrongful deaths, all the way to criminal defense. Contact us today toll-free at 877-374-5999 for a free consultation. Let us help take the burden off your shoulders during these trying times.
Apr 16, 2013 | Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized
A off-duty Sumter County Sheriff Deputy has been involved in a collision that resulted in the death of a woman. The accident occurred on 
Wedgefield Highway when it is reported that the off-duty patrol car and the other vehicle were traveling in opposite directions when they collided at the Pitts Road intersection with the highway.
The woman was pronounced dead on the scene, and the officer was treated at the Tuomey Hospital and released. There is no report as to who was at fault in the accident, and no charges have been filed.
Some accidents are not the fault of anyone, they are simply accidents. However, in many cases, there is a driver who is at fault for the injuries of the other person. At Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP, we are here to ensure that injury victims get just compensation.
For a consultation, call Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP at toll-free 877-374-5999. We can help to alleviate some of the stresses of your injury.
d, putting them both in the hospital and shutting down on of the busiest streets in Rock Hill: Dave Lyle Boulevard.
