A driver who was involved in a fatal crash that led to the death of one person has been charged with felony DUI. The accident took place on Friday, February 28.
According to the details released by the authorities, the incident happened on the U.S. 521, also known as the Greeleyville Highway. Drema Durham was driving a Jeep Liberty SUV when she crossed the center line. Her vehicle then became involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle in the oncoming vehicle. The other vehicle was a Peterbilt tractor-trailer.
Durham had one other passenger in her vehicle at the time of the crash. The collision took place east of Manning and close to the intersection of the Mallett Road and U.S. 521. The passenger who was riding besides Durham in the Jeep sustained critical injuries in the collision and died at the scene of the accident. However, the Clarendon County Coroner didn’t reveal the identity of the victim.
The driver of the tractor-trailer and Durham also sustained injuries in the accident. Both were transported to the McLeod Health Hospital where they received medical treatment. According to the details available so far, it is likely that neither received life-threatening injuries in the crash.
Durham was soon released from the hospital. After testing positive for blood alcohol content, she was charged with felony DUI and then taken to the Clarendon County Detention Center. Felony DUI is a serious offense in the state of South Carolina. The penalties include a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 1 year, with a maximum prison term of up to 25 years in case a person dies. In addition, the convicted driver faces a minimum fine of $10,100 up to a maximum of $25,100.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol continues to investigate the incident. According to the troopers, the accident happened at around 2:05 a.m. at night.
If you have been charged with DUI, you should contact our DUI lawyers for help today.
Source: https://www.theitem.com/stories/driver-charged-with-felony-dui-in-manning-collision,341878